Department for Transport

Helicopters: Greater London

Matthew Pennycook: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending London City CTR control zones eastward to restrict helicopter flights over the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mr John Hayes: No such assessment has been made.

Department for Transport: Iron and Steel

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, (a) how much steel in weight his Department has procured, (b) for what purpose that steel was procured and (c) what the countries of origin of that steel were in each of the last five years.

Mr John Hayes: The Department has procured 650,000 tonnes of steel for steel rails in the last five years. The majority of this is from the UK, with just 2,500 tonnes supplied by Spain and Austria each year. 16/17 – 115,000t15/16 – 130,000t14/15 – 135,000t13/14 – 145,000t12/13 – 125,000t The Department has procured a further 20,493 tonnes of steel over the last five years for gantries and bridges on the motorway network. 20,391 tonnes of this steel originated from the UK, with a further 102 tonnes of steel supplied from countries in Europe. Steel is also procured by the Department’s contractors for new stations, station improvements, and for use of the strategic road network. The Department does not hold details of how much steel was procured by contractors or its country of origin.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to ensure that HS2 Ltd produces Route Management, Improvement and Safety Plans for roads in Buckinghamshire affected by the construction of High Speed 2 by 28 February 2017.

Andrew Jones: Route Management, Improvement and Safety Plans for works which may be necessary to enable worksite access for main civil works by large goods vehicles (where lorry route approvals are required) are currently being prepared and will be discussed with the relevant local highway authorities, including Buckinghamshire, ahead of the start of any works.

A1

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what projection he has made for the timeline of the transition of the A1(M) to a smart motorway.

Mr John Hayes: The Department for Transport issued its Road Investment Strategy in December 2014. In this plan we set out details of the £15 billion to be invested in the England’s Strategic Road Network between 2015/16 and 2020/21. The A1(M) junctions 6 to 8 is one of the East of England schemes in this Strategy. This scheme is in its early stages of development. The current forecast start of construction works in this scheme is March 2020 and the current forecast end of construction is July 2021. Both dates are provisional and subject to confirmation once the detailed design stage is completed.

Aviation: Licensing

Alex Chalk: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph 2.2 of the Civil Aviation Authority's Information Notice 2016/066, published on 25 July 2016, whether he will make it his policy that holders of UK pilot licences will not be restricted to operating Light Aircraft Pilot Licence aircraft only after the UK has left the EU.

Mr John Hayes: The Government is considering carefully all the potential implications arising for our aviation industry from the UK’s exit from the EU, including the implications for holders of UK pilot licences of the UK’s future relationship with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Edward Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the calculation of £1 billion savings identified on the new High Speed 2 M18/Eastern route which travels through Doncaster includes the upgrading to the existing line north of Sheffield Midland Station to form the northern loop; and what estimate he has made of the cost of that upgrade.

Andrew Jones: The estimated saving reflects expected costs relating to a junction to the north of Sheffield which would result in Sheffield Midland being served by a "loop". The cost saving does not reflect the cost of electrifying the section of the classic network to the north of Sheffield, which is assumed to be done before HS2 services commence. Electrifying the route to a northern junction back onto HS2 could be the first step in delivering a Northern Powerhouse network, creating the opportunity to connect Sheffield city centre with Leeds, York and Newcastle.

West Coast Railway Line: Rolling Stock

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has for the replacement of Pendolino trains with trains of at least equal speed on the West Coast Mainline when Pendolino trains come to the end of their serviceable life.

Paul Maynard: There are no current plans to replace Pendolinos. It will be for the operator of the West Coast Partnership franchise, which will begin in April 2019, to decide their future fleet strategy on the classic network.

Aviation: Impact Assessments

Michelle  Thomson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph B.18 of the Civil Aviation Authority's Guidance on the application of the airspace change process document, published in March 2016, whether guidance will be issued to airports on their needing to conduct an impact assessment on livestock, animals and biodiversity.

Mr John Hayes: The Government will consult shortly on airspace matters. This consultation will include a draft of new guidance to the Civil Aviation Authority on the environmental factors it should take into account when exercising its air navigation functions. It is expected that the revised guidance will be in place by the end of this year.

Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2017 to Question 59476, what estimate he has made of the total amount to be spent by his Department on the development of ultra-low emission technology for road vehicles in each of the next five years.

Mr John Hayes: The government has committed to spend over £600m this parliament to encourage the uptake of ultra low emission vehicles in the UK. Precise annual budgets for the next five years have not been set, but we expect over £100m to be spent during this Parliament, ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of ultra low emission vehicle technology development. To date, every £1 of Office for Low Emission Vehicles funding through Innovate UK’s Low Carbon Vehicle Innovation Platform has been forecast to return £20 to £34 over 15 years.

Tintwistle, Hollingworth and Mottram Bypass

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made to date on the Mottram bypass.

Mr John Hayes: Highways England is progressing with the design and assessment of options for the Mottram Bypass as part of the wider Trans-Pennine Upgrade Programme announced by the Government in the Road Investment Strategy in December 2014. Planning for a Non Statutory Public Consultation on the options is under way and scheduled to take place in spring 2017. Details of the consultation approach will be shared with stakeholders and local Members of Parliament in early February 2017. Two public awareness events were held in Hollingworth and Tankersley in October 2016 to inform the public of the planned improvements and to obtain early feedback on the emerging proposals. These events were also helpful in seeking a consensus on the potential extension of the benefits of the Mottram bypass to the residents of Hollingworth and Tintwistle. The feedback from the local events has helped inform the development of the proposals which will be shared with the public at the consultation planned for spring 2017. Following non-statutory consultation in spring 2017, Highways England will consider the feedback before making a recommendation to the Secretary of State for a Preferred Route in summer 2017.

Military Aircraft

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many foreign military aircraft have made unapproved landings at UK airports and airfields since 2010.

Mr John Hayes: The Civil Aviation Authority has a record of the following number of such incidents which were logged on its mandatory occurrence reporting (MOR) database: 2010 One 2011 to 2016 Nil It is possible that some other incidents may not have been considered as an MOR.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Fiat Crysler on the review of that company's emissions by Market Surveillance Unit; and what the (a) timetable and (b) process is for that review.

Mr John Hayes: The Secretary of State has written to the Managing Director of Fiat Chrysler UK seeking assurances that the vehicles in the UK market do not contain prohibited defeat devices and that this matter will be resolved appropriately and quickly. The Market Surveillance Unit has started testing a UK-registered Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicle. This will involve a series of emissions tests to check for prohibited defeat devices. The final timetable for this work will depend on the results that are found and whether further vehicle testing is required.

Railways: Tickets

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish details of the monthly monitoring reports provided to him by the working group created to implement the Action Plan for Information on Rail Fares and Ticketing, published on 13 December 2016.

Paul Maynard: The Action Plan for Information on Rail Fares and Ticketing launched on 13 December 2016 is a set of stretching actions to drive real improvement for passengers in the next 12 months. We are working with the Rail Delivery Group, the consumer group Which?, Transport Focus and the Rail Regulator. These organisations form a working group who meet to review progress against the actions on a monthly basis working towards two key reports as set out in the Action Plan. The Regulator will publish an interim progress report on delivery against this plan in the ORR’s Annual Consumer Report in July 2017, and a final report will be published at the end of the year.

Pedicabs: Greater London

Victoria Borwick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has been made of the effect of pedicab drivers on traffic congestion in Central London.

Andrew Jones: Traffic congestion in London is caused by a wide range of factors, and the Department has made no assessment of the extent to which pedicabs contribute to it. The impacts of pedicabs on congestion are highly localised, and the Department has been lobbied by a number of stakeholders who have said that they are contributing significantly to congestion problems on the roads and pavements in certain parts of the West End of London where numbers of them tend to congregate.

Pedicabs: Greater London

Victoria Borwick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to bring forward legislative proposals for the operation of pedicabs in London.

Andrew Jones: We have been working with Transport for London (TfL) to draft legislation which would enable TfL to regulate pedicabs. We will identify an appropriate legislative slot as soon as possible.

Pedicabs: Greater London

Victoria Borwick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for introducing legislative proposals on the operation of pedicabs in London.

Andrew Jones: We will introduce legislation on pedicabs when an appropriate legislative slot becomes available.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Refugees: Children

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to allocate funding to local authorities to support (a) the mental health of child refugees and (b) those child refugees diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Mr Marcus Jones: Holding answer received on 20 December 2016



The Government has committed £129 million to assist with local authority costs over years two-five of the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement scheme. This is allocated on a tariff basis over four years, tapering from £5,000 in year two to £3,700 in year three, to £2,300 in year four and £1,000 in year five. This is in addition to the first 12 months of a refugee's resettlement costs, which are funded by central government using the Official Development Assistance budget.The grant to local authorities is not ring fenced, and can be used for example towards support for costs such as counselling, social care and other needs. Funding payments (per individual refugee) can be pooled and managed across all the refugees a local authority takes in.For unaccompanied asylum seeking children, local authorities receive a daily rate towards the costs of care.Refugees and unaccompanied asylum seeking children also have access to health and education services, which are funded through the normal per capita funding routes. The Government is investing £1.4 billion over the lifetime of this Parliament to drive improvement and support significant transformation in children and young people’s mental health so that there is easy access to the right support from the right service when it is needed.Specifically, this includes £1.4 million in 2016/17 followed by £2.8 million annually, for the following three years, targeted at improved mental health support for the most vulnerable looked-after children and young people, those who are looked-after in secure children’s homes.We have also established an independent Expert Working Group to develop care pathways to support an integrated approach to meeting the needs of looked-after children with mental health difficulties. In November 2016 we announced that we will be piloting, from spring, how mental health can be better assessed as part of the health assessment for looked-after children entering care.

Consumer Advice, Protection, Standards and Enforcement for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Independent Review

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what his response is to the findings and recommendations of the Bonfield Review, Each Home Counts, December 2016.

Gavin Barwell: This Department welcomes the publication of the Each Home Counts Review and we will work with industry to understand how the sector proposes to implement the recommendations of the review.

Universal Credit: Homelessness

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many people who are registered with local authorities in England as being homeless receive universal credit payments.

Mr Marcus Jones: Holding answer received on 20 January 2017



The Department for Communities and Local Government does not collect ths information.

Affordable Housing

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2017 to Question 59492, if he will place in the Library the assumptions, working and modelling supplied by his Department which support the policy costing of the move to tenure flexibility for the Affordable Homes Programme undertaken by the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Gavin Barwell: The Office for Budget Responsibility policy costings document is a publically available note which sets out the methodology and key assumptions of the enhanced Affordable Homes programme. I would refer the Rt Hon Member to the web link I provided previously, which is:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/571402/Policy_Costings_AS_2016_web_final.pdf

Garden Communities: Construction

Luke Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether Garden Village proposals which do not meet the criteria of achieving substantial local community support as set out at point 11 on page 6 of Locally-led Garden Villages, Towns and Cities, published by his Department in March 2016, and which were not selected in the initial round will not receive either informal or formal support from the Homes and Communities Agency in progressing those proposals outside the scheme.

Luke Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether Garden Village proposals which do not meet the criteria set out in Locally-Led Garden Villages, Towns and Cities, published by his Department in March 2016, and which were not selected in the initial round will not receive either informal or formal support by the Homes and Communities Agency in progressing those proposals outside of the scheme.

Luke Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether Garden Village proposals which do not meet the criteria of having a substantive engagement strategy to win local support as set out at point 17 on page 7 of Locally-led Garden Villages, Towns and Cities, published by his Department in March 2016, and which were not selected in the initial round will not receive either informal or formal support from the Homes and Communities Agency in progressing those proposals outside the scheme.

Luke Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether Garden Village proposals which do not meet the criteria of demonstrating that their infrastructure has been clearly assessed as set out at point 29 on page 8 of Locally-led Garden Villages, Towns and Cities, published by his Department in March 2016, and which were not selected in the initial round will not receive either informal or formal support from the Homes and Communities Agency in progressing those proposals outside the scheme.

Luke Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether Garden Village proposals which do not meet the criteria of making use of public sector or brownfield land as set out at point 20 on page 8 of Locally-led Garden Villages, Towns and Cities, published by his Department in March 2016, and which were not selected in the initial round will not receive either informal or formal support from the Homes and Communities Agency in progressing those proposals outside the scheme.

Luke Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether Garden Village proposals which do not meet the criteria of not being discrete settlements or town expansions as set out at point 14 on page 7 of Locally-led Garden Villages, Towns and Cities, published by his Department in March 2016, and which were not selected in the initial round will not receive either informal or formal support from the Homes and Communities Agency in progressing those proposals outside the scheme.

Gavin Barwell: The Homes and Communities Agency has offered a conversation with local authorities whose garden village proposals were not selected to establish how they might be supported to progress their ambitions.The 14 garden villages selected stood out as the strongest against the criteria we had set, including the likelihood of timely progress and accelerated delivery; viability and local demand; the strength of quality, innovation and design in the proposal; and the strength of local leadership and support.

Temporary Accommodation: Dorset

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many households were living in temporary accommodation paid for by (a) Bournemouth Borough Council, (b) Poole Borough Council and (c) Christchurch Council on (i) 31 March 2016 and (ii) the most recent date for which information is available.

Mr Marcus Jones: Holding answer received on 23 January 2017



Data on the numbers of households in temporary accommodation in each local authority area in England have been published at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-homelessness#detailed-local-authority-level-responses

Council Tax

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the (a) minimum and (b) maximum number of years will be for which council tax spending will be assessed for the purpose of regulations setting a threshold to trigger a local referendum under the Local Government Finance Bill.

Mr Marcus Jones: Holding answer received on 23 January 2017



The provisions of the LGF Bill do not specify a minimum or maximum number of years for which council tax referendum principles may be set. However, all referendum principles would be subject to consultation with representatives of local government. Local authorities will still be required to set their council tax every year and make an annual determination of whether it is excessive and therefore requires approval in a referendum.

Non-domestic Rates

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the maximum size of area will be as measured by population in which pooling of non-domestic sites will be permitted under provisions of the Local Government Finance Bill.

Mr Marcus Jones: Holding answer received on 23 January 2017



The Government believes that local authorities can achieve greater impact when working together, especially when working over wider areas to achieve economic growth. For this reason, the Government wants to continue to encourage and reward pooling under the 100% business rates retention system. The Local Government Finance Bill contains provisions to amend the way that business rate pools are set up, and to increase the rewards open to pools of authorities.We would expect to discuss with local authorities in any area, the size, shape and geography of the pools that could help achieve improved outcomes for local economic growth.

Holiday Accommodation: Regulation

Victoria Borwick: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals on subletting through companies, such as Airbnb, to mandate the owner's permission before that accommodation is sublet.

Victoria Borwick: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to bring forward legislative proposals on subletting through companies, such as Airbnb, to mandate the owner's permission before that accommodation is sublet; and if he will make a statement.

Gavin Barwell: The Government supports the shared economy, and subletting where the tenant has the landlord’s agreement. Generally, a tenancy agreement will state that before subletting, a tenant must obtain the landlord’s consent, which must not be unreasonably withheld, and we have made it clear in our model tenancy agreement for assured shorthold tenancies that tenants must always seek permission from the landlord before subletting all or part of the property.The Government does not wish to be prescriptive in these matters and individuals should have regard to the terms of their tenancy agreement and/or lease when considering subletting.

Housing: Disability

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what discussions his Department has had with local authorities on ensuring that there is more flexibility in the criteria for disabled people to be included on the housing register for an accessible home.

Gavin Barwell: The Government believes it is important that people who require accessible housing are given the right level of priority under a council's allocation scheme, and that councils and social landlords are able to make the best use of affordable housing in their area, including accommodation which is accessible or has been adapted. That is why, through the Localism Act 2011, we have retained the statutory reasonable preference requirements which ensure that priority for social housing is given to those who need to move on medical and welfare grounds (including grounds relating to a disability).We recognise that accessible housing registers can be useful, and we are aware that some councils have incorporated such an approach into their lettings system, and in London there is a city-wide London Accessible Housing Register (https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/housing-and-land/renting/london-accessible-housing-register).My department regularly discusses the housing needs of disabled people with local authorities and the housing sector.

Social Services: Finance

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of amounts raised from the social care precept for local authorities with disproportionate requirements for funding on social care.

Mr Marcus Jones: If all councils were to take up the flexibility the Government has offered in relation to the social care precept, it could raise up to £1,023 million in 2017-18 and £1,734 million in 2018-19. However the precept is only one part of the picture. Next year councils will also benefit from the one-off Adult Social Care Support Grant which we propose to distribute based on relative needs, and additional funding comes on-stream through the improved Better Care Fund which rises to £1.5 billion by 2019-20, and will be distributed based on relative need taking into account the ability to raise council tax. Over the four years of the settlement 2016-20, the Government has made available £7.6 million of dedicated funding for adult social care, meaning local government will have access to the funding it needs to increase social care spending every year in this Parliament.

Temporary Accommodation: Southwark

Ms Harriet Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the average length of stay in temporary accommodation was for households in the London Borough of Southwark in (a) 2010, (b) 2015 and (c) 2016.

Mr Marcus Jones: Holding answer received on 23 January 2017



Data on the length of time since acceptance of households leaving temporary accommodation in each local authority area in England have been published in section 7 of the detailed local authority homelessness tables at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-homelessness#detailed-local-authority-level-responses

Holocaust Memorial Day

Kirsten  Oswald: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January 2017.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Department for Communities and Local Government funds the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust to deliver the United Kingdom's annual Holocaust Memorial Day. This year the commemorative ceremony will be taking place in London on 26 January. The Trust also supports thousands of local commemorative events across the country and devolved nations.

Antisemitism

Kirsten  Oswald: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what recent steps he has taken to tackle anti-Semitism; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Government recently published an update to the All-Party Parliamentary Group against Anti-Semitism detailing our progress in tackling anti-Semitism. Details can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/576563/161212_APPG_-_Progress_Update.pdfThe Government has recently adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism which is an important tool for criminal justice agencies and other public bodies to understand how anti-Semitism manifests itself in the 21st century. In addition, representatives from Jewish community organisations sit on the cross-Government Working Group on anti-Semitism which ensures that we remain alive to any issues of concern.

Hate Crime: Internet

Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on tackling online hate crime.

Mr Marcus Jones: Formal negotiation with the internet industry has been led by officials from across Government, primarily within the Cyber-Hate Working Group and latterly within the Internet Sub-Group of the European Commission High Level Group on Hate Crime. Both of these have led to voluntary agreements being drawn up concerning the code of conduct of industry bodies and their response to complaints from members of the public, for example:http://ec.europa.eu/justice/fundamental-rights/files/hate_speech_code_of_conduct_en.pdfThe Government's Hate Crime Action Plan, published last July, includes a commitment to bring Ministers from across Whitehall together with industry bodies, victims and academics to discuss challenges and future opportunities to collaborate.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Small Businesses: Crawley

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of trends in the number of local businesses in Crawley.

Margot James: The ONS publish numbers of “active enterprises” for Crawley, based on their business register, and the following numbers include businesses registered for VAT and/or PAYE only. An active enterprise is one which has reported employment or turnover during the year. 2010 - 2,9602011 - 3,0152012 - 3,1002013 - 3,2152014 - 3,3802015 - 3,605 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) were created in 2011 as partnerships between local authorities and business. All LEPs, including Coast to Capital, which covers Crawley, have Strategic Economic Plans based on their analysis of local economic conditions.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Iron and Steel

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, (a) how much steel in weight his Department has procured, (b) for what purpose that steel was procured and (c) what the countries of origin of that steel were in each of the last five years.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Department was not collecting this data over the period in question so we are unfortunately not able to provide this information.In Autumn 2015, Government issued guidance to central government departments on how to take social and economic factors into account in their procurements to help level the playing field for UK steel producers. This guidance has now been extended to the wider public sector.Since publication of the guidance, Government has been working closely with departments to monitor its impact and ensure delivery. There are no plans to share Government level data publicly, due to its provisional nature.On 13th December 2016, the Government published its indicative future steel requirements to 2020, to enable UK steel manufacturers to better plan in advance of future government contracts.

Green Investment Bank

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the role is of the trustees of the special share company of the Green Investment Bank.

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the trustees of the special share company of the Green Investment Bank will authorise individual investment proposals.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Government has set out its plans for the sale of the Green Investment Bank (GIB) in the document “Green Investment Bank: sale of shares” laid before Parliament on 3 March 2016. The special share will be held by an independent company – the Green Purposes Company Limited, with trustees who have been selected independently of Government and of GIB. The independent trustees will have the right to approve or reject any proposed change to the green purposes of GIB, as set out in the company’s Articles of Association, if such a change were ever proposed.

Green Investment Bank

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many staff at the Green Investment Bank have previously worked for the Government's preferred bidder for the Government's shares in that bank.

Mr Nick Hurd: The sale process is currently ongoing and neither Government nor the Green Investment Bank are able to provide any update on the identity of any bidders. All parties have been required to sign confidentiality agreements and these place strict restrictions on the disclosure of information. These restrictions apply both to bidders and the Government.

Carbon Capture and Storage

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the role that carbon capture and (a) storage and (b) utilisation will play in meeting the developing world's growing demand for energy.

Jesse Norman: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Fuel Poverty

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the contribution that new (a) coal-fuelled, (b) gas-fuelled, (c) hydro, (d) solar and (e) wind electricity generating capacity will play in alleviating energy poverty in each of its priority countries.

Jesse Norman: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Hinkley Point C Power Station

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how his Department plans to (a) monitor, (b) enforce and (c) impose appropriate sanctions arising from the investor agreement between his Department and nine nuclear investment companies for the Hinkley C nuclear power plant.

Jesse Norman: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Energy: Meters

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect on households' access to low-cost and off-peak rates of Ofgem recommendations on the future installation of smart meters.

Jesse Norman: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Post Offices: Closures

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many (a) post offices and (b) sub post offices have closed in each year since 2010 in (i) York Central constituency, (ii) the York Local Authority area, (iii) North Yorkshire and the Humber and (iv) England.

Margot James: The provision of its post office branches is the responsibility of Post Office Limited. I have asked Paula Vennells, the Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, to write to the Hon Member on this matter and provide the information requested. A copy of her reply will be placed in the libraries of the House.

Insolvency

Roger Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with relevant stakeholders on the potential effect on the UK's insolvency and restructuring regime of the UK leaving the EU.

Margot James: Over the past few months the Government has engaged with businesses and key stakeholders up and down the country including those with interests in the UK’s insolvency and restructuring regime, and will continue to do so going forward. We are listening to their concerns and aiming to limit uncertainty in the transition to ensure our new relationship with the EU works for business. It is vital now, more than ever, that we have open and honest conversations about both the challenges that leaving the EU poses, but crucially also the opportunities that will become open to us.

Insolvency

Roger Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect on the UK's insolvency and restructuring regime of the UK leaving the EU.

Margot James: Departments are undertaking a comprehensive analysis, including engagement with as many organisations, companies and institutions as possible, including those connected with the UK’s insolvency and restructuring regime. This will allow the Government to understand the impact that withdrawal from the EU will have on businesses and consumers, and to seize the opportunities of leaving the EU.

Horizon 2020

Callum McCaig: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many Horizon 2020-funded research projects are underway in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK; and what steps he is taking to ensure that those projects will continue to have access to that funding after the UK leaves the EU.

Joseph Johnson: As of September 2016, there were 5,428 participations in Horizon 2020 across the UK, with 566 participations in Scotland 1.The Treasury will underwrite all successful bids for Horizon 2020 that are approved by the Commission, even when specific projects continue beyond the departure from the EU. UK businesses and universities should continue to bid for competitive EU funds while we remain a member of the EU, and we will work with the Commission to ensure payment when funds are awarded.1https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uks-participation-in-horizon-2020-september-2016

Electricity Generation

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the most cost-effective way of providing utility scale baseload power in its priority countries.

Jesse Norman: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Yemen: Military Intervention

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the capacity of the Joint Incident Assessment Team to conduct effective investigations into breaches of international humanitarian law in Yemen; and what representations he (a) made and (b) received on the appointment of Mansoor Al-Mansoor to that team.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Coalition announced the formation of the Joint Incident Assessment Team (JIAT) in May 2016 and gave further details of the composition and investigation process during a press conference on 4 August. They conveyed that the JIAT would comprise representation from 6 Coalition countries, would operate with independence and neutrality, and will conduct investigations in accordance with international processes.The UK has not been directly involved in investigations undertaken by the JIAT, but has supported its development, including through the delivery of training sessions and meetings.Appointments made to the JIAT are a matter for the Coalition to respond to.

Embassies: Wines

Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what proportion of UK High Commissions and embassies serve English or Welsh wine.

Sir Alan Duncan: A number of our High Commissions and Embassies now do so, but we do not centrally hold details of the wine that is served.

Yemen: Food Supply

Ms Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government has taken to ensure continuity of food deliveries by sea to all ports in Yemen.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We continue to lobby all parties to the conflict to facilitate commercial and humanitarian access. The UK Government is providing £1.4 million for the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism to speed up the clearance process for ships, which should in turn help with the continued delivery of food to Yemen by sea.

Syria: Armed Conflict

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 December 2016 to Question 57916, on Syria: armed conflict, what response his Department has received from Russian and Iranian ambassadors following the meeting on 15 December 2016.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: When the Foreign Secretary summoned the Russian and Iranian ambassadors on 15 December, he made clear that; "both Russia and Iran have failed to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, specifically by failing to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians during the months when eastern Aleppo was besieged." The Iranian Foreign Ministry responded that the statements issued by the Foreign Secretary were "unrealistic, unconsidered and destructive". On 19 December, Russia joined the UN Security Council members in voting in favour of UN Security Council Resolution 2328 on the humanitarian situation in Aleppo. The resolution requested the UN to monitor evacuations from Eastern Aleppo and demanded all parties provide the UN with safe, immediate and unimpeded access. The UK continues to urge Russia and Iran to use their influence to implement fully the terms of this UNSCR as well as the ceasefire deal they announced on 30 December

Serbia: Official Visits

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what preparations (a) his Department and (b) the British Embassy in Belgrade undertook in advance of his official visit to Serbia in November 2016.

Sir Alan Duncan: ​I refer the Hon. Member to the answer that I gave on 12 January 2017 to Written Question 58382.

Yemen: Military Intervention

Kirsten  Oswald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the Government last raised the humanitarian situation in Yemen with the Foreign Affairs Council; and what actions were agreed on that occasion.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The humanitarian situation in Yemen is one of the most serious crises in the world and this is why the UK Government has committed over £100m in humanitarian aid to Yemen for 2016/17. Last year we helped more than 1 million Yemenis with food, medical supplies and clean water.The humanitarian situation in Yemen was last discussed as a substantive item at the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in February 2015. However, Yemen in general is regularly covered as part of wider discussions on the Southern Neighbourhood at the FAC.The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Mr Johnson) most recently raised the humanitarian situation in Yemen with members of the FAC during the annual meeting of EU and Gulf Cooperation Council Foreign Ministers in July 2016, which immediately followed the formal FAC meeting.The Council Working Parties regularly discuss Yemen including the severity of the humanitarian situation.

Belize and Guatemala: Overseas Aid

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 15 June 2016 to Question 39652, on Central America: Borders, what projects the UK is funding to support economic activity in the border regions of Guatamala and Belize.

Sir Alan Duncan: In Guatemala, a Foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) funded project focuses on developing agro-forestry systems to help improve the lives and finances of local families, and reduce the likelihood of illegal incursions into Belize to farm land or collect forest resources. In Belize, a FCO funded project focuses on improving the protection of forest and water resources for communities on the border with Guatemala. This will help to promote sustainable economic development in the area which will improve the lives and finances of local families, as well as supporting mutual cooperation.

Russia: Conflict, Stability and Security Fund

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what funding has been provided through the Conflict Stabilisation and Security Fund to projects in Russia in each of the last five years.

Sir Alan Duncan: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Northern Ireland Office

Irish Language

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what his policy is on the promotion of the Irish language; and if he will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: In the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, the Government reaffirmed “the need for respect for and recognition of the Irish language in Northern Ireland, consistent with the Council of Europe Charter on Regional or Minority Languages”. Under the devolution settlement the UK Government retains responsibility for broadcasting, whilst the majority of responsibility for language issues rests with the Northern Ireland Executive, including policy relating to the promotion of minority languages, including Irish. Education is also a devolved matter in Northern Ireland. In relation to broadcasting, the BBC Charter Review considered the BBC’s contribution to minority language broadcasting. The BBC Framework Agreement includes, for the first time, a specific clause which provides a clear commitment for the BBC to continue to deliver output in the Irish, and Ulster-Scots, language. The Government has also committed to funding the Irish Language Broadcasting Fund and the Ulster-Scots Broadcasting Fund over this Spending Review period, which are administered through Northern Ireland Screen.

Department for Exiting the European Union

Greater London Authority

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, if he will include the Mayor of London and Assembly Members from the Greater London Authority in future meetings of the devolved administrations forum.

Mr Robin Walker: The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union has committed to meeting the Mayor of London on a monthly basis as we prepare to leave the European Union. The Government is determined to deliver a new relationship with the European Union which works for the whole UK, which means a relationship that works for London.

Department for International Development

Democratic Republic of Congo: Politics and Government

Stephen Gethins: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support her Department is providing to civil society in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

James Wharton: DFID DRC provides civil society organisations with practical and technical support to educate some 5.8 million citizens on their civic rights and responsibilities, to eliminate illegal school fees, to empower young women and, indirectly, in health, water and sanitation.

Democratic Republic of Congo: African Union

Stephen Gethins: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support her Department is providing to the African Union to assist it in its work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

James Wharton: DFID’s funding to the African Union (AU) includes support for election monitoring, strengthening governance and building the AU’s capacity for early warning in countries at risk of instability, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).Through the cross-government Conflict, Security and Stabilisation Fund, the UK supports wider AU work on prevention, management and resolution of conflict including AU mediation efforts in DRC via its Liaison Office in Kinshasa. This is fundamental to promoting poverty reduction as well as strengthening the UK’s national security.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Elections

Stephen Gethins: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support she plans to offer to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to help it hold the presidential elections in that country planned for 2017.

James Wharton: The UK currently provides support to increase the democratic representation of women and youth, protect human rights defenders and broaden electoral observation activities.Last year, we announced that additional funding would be made available to update the national electoral roll, if all parties were prepared to hold free, fair and timely elections. That offer remains on the table, and the recent political accord signed in the DRC is a marker of growing commitment to hold elections.

Yemen: Ports

Stephen Gethins: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the provision of cranes in Yemen's ports for the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Rory Stewart: The UN logistics cluster has publically available information on Yemen’s wider port capacity.The largest cranes in the port of Hodeidah, Yemen’s largest port, have been severely damaged by the conflict in Yemen which is restricting humanitarian and commercial access. The World Food Programme is procuring mobile cranes for Hodeidah port to improve capacity and we expect these to arrive imminently. Furthermore, ships chartered by humanitarian actors tend to have on-board cranes meaning some cargo can be unloaded onto the port.

Iraq: Public Sector

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to encourage collaboration between the UK and Iraqi public sectors (a) in health, (b) in education and (c) more widely.

Rory Stewart: DFID‘s work in Iraq is focused on supporting the Government of Iraq-led, UN-supported humanitarian and stabilisation response to the current crisis, and DFID funding is channelled through UN agencies and non-governmental organisations. DFID is not directly funding programmes supporting joint working between the UK and Iraqi public sectors.The British Council is working with the Iraqi health, heritage and education sectors to foster collaboration with UK institutions. Through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) the UK is also working with the Government of Iraq to train and mentor the Iraqi Government Digital Service to support online communications in the campaign against Daesh.

Cluster Munitions

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make it her Department's policy to provide direct funding to ensure the clearing of UK-produced cluster munitions.

Rory Stewart: DFID funds clearance of cluster munitions, landmines and other explosive remnants of war irrespective of their origin through its Global Mine Action Programme, through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund, and through the DFID Afghanistan programme. The Global Mine Action Programme has delivered 2,086ha of land back to productive use, saving lives and supporting livelihoods.

Yemen: Overseas Aid

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what proportion of direct aid for Yemen committed in the current financial year has been used to help with the clearing of UK-produced cluster munitions.

Rory Stewart: DFID is contributing £112 million to the crisis in Yemen this financial year, none of which is used to help with the clearing of cluster munitions. The majority of this funding is used to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance, such as food, clean water, medical supplies and emergency shelter.Through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund, the UK is contributing £700,000 for 2016/17 to support the UN Development Programme (UNDP) to clear mines and explosives in Yemen, including cluster munitions.

Ethiopia: Females

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to improve women's empowerment in Ethiopia.

James Wharton: In Ethiopia we are directly supporting 600,000 girls in school, providing potable water for 1.2 million women and girls and have contributed to saving the lives of 70,000 women and children in the last four years. We have specific programmes which delay marriage for nearly 40,000 girls and ensure 67,000 women in pastoralist areas are able to give birth safely. We are also enabling the ownership of land and increasing financial security and income for 3.5 million women.

Iraq: International Assistance

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much funding from the UK's contribution to the Iraq humanitarian pooled fund is provided to projects in the Kurdistan region; and if she will make a statement.

Rory Stewart: The UK is the largest contributor to the United Nations (UN) administered Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund (IHPF) and since 2015 has disbursed £54m to the fund. Approximately 13.6% (£9.75m) of the IHPF was provided to projects based in the area administered by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in 2016.

Kurds: Internally Displaced People

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much funding her Department has provided to the Kurdistan regional government for support of internally displaced people in the Kurdistan region since 2014; and if she will make a statement.

Rory Stewart: Since summer 2014, the UK has committed £169.5m of humanitarian assistance to Iraq, including to internally displaced people in the Kurdistan region. UK assistance is provided through the UN which coordinates distribution and delivery. Therefore the UK does not specifically earmark humanitarian assistance for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Since 2014, the UK has provided support to the KRG, to build the capacity of the Joint Crisis Coordination Centre (JCCC) which coordinates KRG humanitarian activities and liaises with the Government of Iraq, UN and other actors involved in the humanitarian response in Iraq. The UK is also supporting UN agencies that play a direct role in helping the KRG manage the impact of operations in Mosul and elsewhere in Iraq.

Yemen: Cluster Munitions

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department has had discussions with (a) the Yemen Executive Mine Action Centre and (b) other national de-mining institutions in Yemen on the provision of funding for clearing UK-produced cluster munitions; and if she will make a statement.

Rory Stewart: The Department for International Development (DFID) has not had discussions with any national de-mining institutions in Yemen. However, through the cross-government Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), the UK is supporting the UN Development Programme (UNDP) to work with both the Yemen Executive Mine Action Centre (YEMAC) and the National Mine Action Commission (NMAC) to clear mines and explosives in Yemen, including cluster munitions.

Nigeria: Internally Displaced Persons

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department plans to provide additional resources to the dispatched persons camp in Rann, North Eastern Nigeria as a result of the airstrike on that camp.

James Wharton: In 2016, DFID was the second largest donor to the humanitarian crisis in North-East Nigeria. We are a major funder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) which has been providing life-saving assistance to the displaced people in Rann. This assistance will continue. We are also a major funder of the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) who (together with ICRC) provided emergency medical treatment and evacuation to those wounded in the bombing incident of 17 January 2017.

Marie Stopes International

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much was paid from the public purse to Marie Stopes International in 2016; and how much of that total came from the international aid budget for expenditure overseas in 2016.

Rory Stewart: During January to December 2016, Marie Stopes International (MSI) directly received £44.45 million from DFID through several programmes including: Urban Health for poor mothers in Bangladesh, Reducing Maternal Death Kenya, Family Planning Services Malawi, Reproductive Health Services Pakistan and Improving Reproductive and Maternal and New born health Sierra Leone.

Department for Education

Department for Education: iNHouse Communications

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has had communications with iNHouse Communications Ltd in connection with any current commercial tender process.

Caroline Dinenage: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Department for Education: iNHouse Communications

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has awarded any commercial contracts to iNHouse Communications Ltd in the last five years.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department for Education does not hold any commercial or financial records relating to iNHouse Communications Limited. An iNHouse licenced technology solution was used to provide a one-off conference call in 2015.

Department for Education: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department permits its employees to join a credit union through payroll deductions; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Dinenage: The department does not currently offer the facility for employees to join a credit union through payroll deductions. We will be considering whether to introduce this as part of our offer to staff.

Music: Teachers

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many music teachers there were in schools in England in each of the last six years.

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many art teachers there were in schools in England in each of the last six years.

Nick Gibb: The figures are publicly available from the annual School Workforce Census’ statistical first releases, at the following web link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-school-workforce

Universities: Antisemitism

Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to tackle anti-Semitism and holocaust denial on university campuses.

Joseph Johnson: This Government takes anti-Semitism extremely seriously. There is no place in our society - including within higher education – for hatred or any form of harassment, discrimination or racism, including anti-Semitism.The Government has recently adopted the non-legally binding definition of anti-Semitism, to help clarify how anti-Semitism can manifest itself in the 21st century.Universities have a responsibility to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all students. The legal obligation for ensuring that students do not face discrimination, harassment, abuse or violence rests with individual institutions. Universities should have robust policies and procedures in place to comply with the law, and to enable them to investigate and address swiftly any anti-Semitic incidents that are reported.The Government asked Universities UK (UUK) to set up an Harassment Taskforce in 2015, to consider what more can be done to address harassment on campus, including on the basis of religion and belief. The Union of Jewish Students, Jewish Leadership Council, Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Community Security Trust were part of its wider advisory group. The taskforce published its report: ‘Changing the Culture’, on 21 October 2016.The Government has asked UUK to monitor progress. UUK plan to establish more baseline evidence, and to assess institutions’ progress in implementing the recommendations and report later this year.

Higher Education: EU Grants and Loans

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the number of academic posts at higher education institutions in the UK which are directly funded from EU sources; and if she will make a statement.

Joseph Johnson: The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes statistics on staff employed at UK higher education institutions (HEIs). Latest statistics refer to the 2015/16 academic year and are published at the following link:https://www.hesa.ac.uk/news/19-01-2017/sfr243-staff.Analysis of HESA’s Staff Record shows that, of the 201,380 Full-Person Equivalent members of academic staff at UK Higher Education Institutions in the 2015/16 academic year, the basic salary of 7,230 academic staff was funded fully or in part from EU sources.

Universities: Staff

Callum McCaig: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with the Home Secretary on universities in (a) England and (b) Scotland being able to recruit academic staff who are EU nationals after the UK leaves the EU.

Joseph Johnson: We recognise that arrangements for EU academic staff coming to the UK after we leave the EU is a key issue for the Higher Education sector, and one that will need to be considered as part of wider discussions about the UK’s relationship with the EU. DfE officials meet regularly with Home Office officials to discuss this and other matters, and the two departments will continue to work closely as these issues progress. DfE officials also meet regularly with officials from the devolved administrations to discuss a range of issues regarding higher education after the UK leaves the EU, and will continue to do so.

Universities: Scotland

Callum McCaig: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with Ministers on the academic funding for Scottish universities after the UK leaves the EU.

Joseph Johnson: University funding is a devolved matter, and Scottish university funding arrangements are therefore a matter for the Scottish Government to decide. However, DfE officials meet regularly with officials from the devolved administrations to discuss a range of issues regarding higher education after the UK leaves the EU, and will continue to do so as these issues progress.

GCE A-level

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many students achieved three or more A grade or higher A-levels in each national statistical social economic classification for each year since 2010.

Nick Gibb: The number of pupils that achieved three or more A grade or higher A-levels by national statistical social economic classification is not held by the Department.

Children's Centres

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many Sure Start children's centres have been opened in each of the last five years.

Caroline Dinenage: As at 31 December 2016 there were 3,251 main children’s centres and sites open to families and children providing children's centre services as part of a network. Children’s centre records are maintained by local authorities and are made publicly available via the Department’s “EduBase portal” at: http://www.education.gov.uk/edubase/home.xhtml Based on information supplied by local authorities, eight children’s centres have opened since April 2010[1]. [1] This figure for centres opened since 2010 does not include children’s centres that local authorities have reported closed and subsequently reopened. It is not possible to give a year on year breakdown.

Children's Centres

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many Sure Start children's centres closed in England in 2016.

Caroline Dinenage: As at 31 December 2016 there were 3,251 main children’s centres and sites open to families and children providing children's centre services as part of a network. Children’s centre records are maintained by local authorities and are made publicly available via the Department’s “EduBase portal” at: http://www.education.gov.uk/edubase/home.xhtml Based on information supplied by local authorities, 64 children’s centres closed in 2016[1]. [1] The total number of closures in 2016 is based on data supplied to Edubase by local authorities as at 20 January 2017; and local authorities could report additional closures in 2016.

Ministry of Justice

Prison Service: Vacancies

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information her Department holds on the average number of applicants received for prison officer vacancies.

Mr Sam Gyimah: A core part of our prison safety and reform plan is the recruitment of an additional 2,500 additional prison officers. In 10 of our most challenging prisons we have already started a recruitment programme. I am pleased to say that we have already made over 300 job offers for those 400 jobs, on top of 1,400 new officers appointed in the last 12 months. The information requested is not held centrally.

Prison Service: Labour Turnover

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment she has made of the reasons for high prison officer turnover; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Sam Gyimah: A core part of our prison safety and reform plan is the recruitment of an additional 2,500 prison officers. In 10 of our most challenging prisons we have already started a recruitment programme, and I am pleased to say that we have already made 348 job offers for those 400 jobs, on top of 1,400 new officer appointed in the last 12 months. To address the relatively higher numbers of new officers who leave in the first year, we are improving the support that applicants and new prison officers receive, so that they have the opportunity to explore and understand the role of the prison officer before applying and supporting them through to the completion of their training and probation. At 30 of our most challenging recruitment sites we will be giving prison governors greater freedoms to hire the staff right for them, with the expertise and skills they need. In respect of established staff, higher staffing levels are set to improve the supervision of prisoners, operational resilience and staff engagement with prisoners; all of which will improve prison safety and encourage experienced staff to stay. The percentage of experienced staff is higher now than it was in 2010.

Local Government: Fees and Charges

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many local authorities in England waive fees for children under the age of 17.

Dr Phillip Lee: The requested information is not held centrally. The Government is aware that the cost of a child’s funeral is of considerable concern to parents at a very difficult time. I will shortly be meeting with the Honourable Member for Swansea East to discuss these issues further.

Sentencing: North Wales

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average sentence length was for (a) males and (b) females sentenced at (i) Crown Courts and (ii) magistrates' courts in North Wales in each year since 2010.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Offenders sentenced to immediate custody at all courts by gender, court type and average sentence length within North Wales, from 2010 to 2015 (latest available), can be viewed in the attached table.



Offenders sentenced to immediate custody
(Excel SpreadSheet, 38 KB)

Prisons: Employment

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which private companies have used labour from the prison population, and for what roles, in each of the last five years.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. We want prisons to be places of hard work, rigorous education and high ambition, with incentives for prisoners to learn and for prison staff to prioritise education and work. We work with a significant number of private companies to provide opportunities for offenders to work and learn new skills which can help them find a job on release and support their rehabilitation. This includes supporting work in prison, providing work placements in the community on temporary licence and employment on release.

Ministry of Justice: Iron and Steel

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, (a) how much steel in weight her Department has procured, (b) for what purpose that steel was procured and (c) what the countries of origin of that steel were in each of the last five years.

Dr Phillip Lee: We are unable to provide this answer as it would incur disproportionate cost.

Animal Welfare

Anna Turley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much was collected in fines for offences committed under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in (a) 2014, (b) 2015 and (c) 2016.

Sir Oliver Heald: The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Reparation by Offenders

Christina Rees: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will publish a progress report on the Ministry of Justice Action Plan on Restorative Justice.

Dr Phillip Lee: The MoJ supports the provision of good quality, victim-focussed Restorative Justice as one of a range of measures to help victims cope and, where possible, recover from crime.We continue to work with Police and Crime Commissioners and the Restorative Justice Council to support effective delivery of RJ services for victims and to assess progress.We noted in our written evidence to the Justice Select Committee the good progress made against the current action plan. As my Right Honourable and Learned Friend for North Hertfordshire stated at the recent Westminster Hall Debate on Restorative Justice, we will publish the progress report in due course.

Reparation by Offenders

Christina Rees: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to ensure that restorative justice is offered to victims of crime.

Christina Rees: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that victims of crime are informed of mechanisms available for restorative justice before an offender has been sentenced.

Dr Phillip Lee: Under the revised Victims’ Code, which came into force in November 2015, victims have a right to be informed about the restorative justice services in their area at the point the crime is reported. We believe that Police and Crime Commissioners are best placed to determine how to meet the needs of victims in their local areas.We are clear however, that more remains to be done to make sure restorative justice is understood and used appropriately.My officials have worked closely with forces, Police and Crime Commissioners and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners to raise awareness and understanding.

Family Courts: Legal Representation

Christina Rees: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many family court users represented themselves as litigants in person in each of the last five years.

Sir Oliver Heald: This requested information is not held centrally.

Personal Injury: Compensation

Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when she plans to publish her Department's response to its consultation, Reforming the soft tissue injury (whiplash) claims process, published on 17 November 2016.

Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the names of the (a) people and (b) organisations are who submitted written responses to her Department's consultation, Reforming the soft tissue injury (whiplash) claims process, published on 17 November 2016.

Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many responses were received from (a) people and (b) organisations to her Department's consultation, Reforming the soft tissue injury (whiplash) claims process, published on 17 November 2016.

Sir Oliver Heald: In line with the latest Cabinet Office consultation principles and as stated in the consultation document, the response to the consultation will be published by 7 April. The response will include information on who responded to the consultation along with the number of responses received and the government’s policy decisions as a result of the consultation.

Church Commissioners

Church of England: Vulnerable Adults

Jim Shannon: To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church of England is taking to support the police in dealing with vulnerable people.

Dame Caroline Spelman: The Church of England is actively engaging with the police at many levels, especially in providing support for vulnerable people. As senior figures in local civil society bishops often meet with their local Chief Constables, bilaterally and with other community leaders. The Street Pastors movement puts trained volunteers from local churches on the streets where people need practical and other forms of help, often working in partnership with those of other faiths. Following November’s tragic tram crash in Croydon, Street Pastors were deployed for four days, working alongside the British Transport Police, the Metropolitan Police and the Rail Investigation Service, providing pastoral support and escorting people to the main site to lay flowers in the cordoned-off area. Church of England police chaplains work with the majority of police forces, mostly parish clergy giving their time and energy as volunteers, though a small number are employed full or part-time. Their major contribution is in supporting police officers and staff in the demands of their day-to-day work, but they also engage with local communities and support community cohesion. Chaplains and other volunteers in many places also provide support to those held in police custody, especially vulnerable people.

Prisons: Religion

Jim Shannon: To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church of England is taking to increase provision of spiritual guidance in prisons.

Dame Caroline Spelman: Chaplains (both employed and voluntary) work in teams, and in many places these are well supported by local churches and Christian charities. The work of Prison Fellowship, Reflex, Community Chaplaincy and other such organisations is especially important in this regard.There is an Anglican chaplaincy presence in every prison. When vacancies arise, dioceses work with the National Offender Management Service to support the process of appointing a suitable person. While Chaplains are employed within NOMS, Church of England Chaplains are licensed by their local bishop and bishops are being encouraged to support chaplains in their areas. Bishops provide endorsement and often convene Diocesan meetings to support those in chaplaincy as well as chaplains attending deanery and diocesan events from time to time. The Bishop to HM Prisons (the Lord Bishop of Rochester) is also working with the Chaplain-General and others about arranging an event specifically for Church of England Chaplains.The Bishop to Prisons is also one of the sponsors of a new national initiative called Prison Hope. This has the intention of strengthening the links between chaplaincy, local churches and Christian and wider community organisations. This initiative was launched at HMP Pentonville in October, and will run through 2017 into 2018. It has significant potential to increase the level of prison volunteering, to the benefit of prisoners, those who work in prisons, victims of crime and wider communities.

Churches: Theft

Jim Shannon: To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, if the Church of England will take steps to ensure efforts to tackle theft of lead from church buildings do not lead to reduced accessibility to those buildings.

Dame Caroline Spelman: The Church of England encourages its churches to take all practical steps to prevent the theft of lead and other items from its churches. In the case of theft of lead the majority of churches undertake deterrent schemes involving the use of smart water, roof alarms and other measures. Grant schemes are in place through the National Churches Trust to help parishes cover the costs of these devices. There are very few cases where the theft of lead has given rise to the need to close a church or reduce access to the building. Research by our insurers has also shown that churches that are open on a daily basis do not suffer any greater risk of theft. In fact simply by being open and encouraging people to use the building or churchyard most parishes in England have found theft is deterred.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Social Networking: Regulation

Anna Turley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to amend Ofcom's duties to include the regulation of social media platforms; and if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the non-imposition of a general duty to monitor in Article 15 of E-Commerce Directive 2000/31/EC as it relates to the means by which social media platforms might be expected to monitor abusive content.

Matt Hancock: Social media companies are already subject to a variety of different regulations and we have no plans to amend Ofcom's duties to regulate in this area. Government expects online industries to ensure that they have relevant safeguards and processes in place, including access restrictions, for children and young people who use their services.A decision will be made in due course regarding any assessment of the adequacy of the non-imposition of a general duty to monitor in Article 15 of E-Commerce Directive 2000/31/EC of the eCommerce Directive.

Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press Inquiry

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many submissions to the consultation on the Leveson Inquiry and its implementation (a) supported and (b) opposed Part 2 of that Inquiry.

Matt Hancock: I refer the Hon Member to my reply to PQ 59669.

Department for Work and Pensions

Work Programme

Phil Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department provides employers who participate in the Work Programme with a financial subsidy for their participation.

Damian Hinds: The Department does not provide any financial subsidy to employers or organisations who offer work experience to participants on the Work Programme.

Work Programme

Phil Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department takes an individual's physical and mental capacity into account when allocating a work placement under the Work Programme.

Damian Hinds: Each placement is tailored to the individual’s health and personal circumstances to ensure the work experience is appropriate. This includes any health condition or disability the participant may have.

Work Programme

Phil Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether a system exists for participants in the Work Programme to report mistreatment or other poor employment practices by employers in the Programme.

Damian Hinds: Providers are required to have effective, accessible complaints procedures available to all participants that individuals may use if they are unhappy with any aspect of the service from Work Programme providers.Individuals who feel they have not received adequate support or are otherwise dissatisfied with their provider, are asked to raise their complaint directly with the provider through their formal complaints process. If individuals have exhausted the provider’s complaint process and are still unhappy they can escalate the issue to the Independent Case Examiner.

Jobcentres: Inverclyde

Ronnie Cowan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Government plans to close jobcentre offices in Inverclyde.

Damian Hinds: The department is in the process of reviewing all of its estates requirements as the current contract for most of the estate comes to an end on 31 March 2018. Commercial negotiations are underway on the entirety of our estate at this time and it is not appropriate to comment further on individual sites while negotiations are in progress.

Universal Credit: Housing Benefit

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants he estimates will be affected by the removal of the housing costs element of universal credit from 18 to 21-year-olds in each local authority area; what the estimated savings will be of that removal in each of those areas; and if he will place in the Library the working and modelling on which those estimates are based.

Caroline Nokes: The Department expects that around 10,000 people would be affected, saving an estimated £95 million over the course of the current Parliament. The Department does not hold a breakdown for each local authority area.

Children: Poverty

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of whether child poverty rates will (a) increase, (b) remain the same or (c) decrease during the current Parliament.

Damian Hinds: Since 2010 the number of children in relative low income Before Housing Costs (BHC) has decreased by 100,000, to 2.5 million in 2014/15, and the proportion of children in absolute low income BHC is at its lowest level ever at 17%. We do not forecast rates of low income. Statistics on the proportion and number of children living in households in low income in 2015/16 will be published in the Households Below Average Income release by the end of March 2017. The government is committed to continue the annual publication of statistics on low income in the Households Below Average Income releases. The Prime Minister has been clear that tackling child poverty and disadvantage, and delivering real social reform, is a priority for this Government. Our forthcoming Green Paper on Social Justice will identify and address the root causes of poverty, building upon the two statutory measures that we have already set out in the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016.

Department for Work and Pensions: Sick Leave

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what further measures the Government plans to introduce to assist employers in supporting employees' return to work after a heath-related absence.

Penny Mordaunt: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17th January 2017 to Question 59500.

Carer's Premium: Scotland

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Government has made of the total value of carer premiums paid to claimants in Scotland in each of the last three years for which information is available.

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants in Scotland received carer premiums for (a) jobseeker's allowance, (b) employment and support allowance, (c) income support and (d) pension credit in in each of the last three years for which information is available.

Penny Mordaunt: There has been no assessment of carer premiums paid to claimants in Scotland in the last three years. Statistics on the number of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support and Pension Credit claimants in Scotland in May 2014, May 2015 and May 2016 who were in receipt of Carer’s Allowance are shown in the following table. Income Support, Pension Credit and Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants in receipt of a carer’s premium, Scotland, May 2014 - May 2016  Income SupportPension CreditJobseeker’s AllowanceMay 201425,46022,780500May 201526,28020,690300May 201627,05019,770300 Source: DWP 5% and 100% Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study data NotesFigures for Income Support and Pensions Credit are rounded to the nearest 10. Figures for Jobseeker’s Allowance are rounded to the nearest 100Jobseeker’s Allowance figures have been uprated using 5% proportions against 100% Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) totals. The information requested is not readily available for Employment and Support Allowance claimants and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Jobcentres: Glasgow

Stewart Malcolm McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to meet local community groups in Glasgow South constituency to discuss the effect of proposed jobcentre closures in Glasgow.

Damian Hinds: We are committed to continuing to serve people in all areas of the country to make sure that they can continue to access the services they need. I recently met with the MP’s who represent Glasgow and Rutherglen and Hamilton West to discuss our proposals. We started a public consultation process for the proposed closure of Bridgeton, Castlemilk and Maryhill Jobcentres on 7 December 2016, via Gov.uk. The consultation will close on 31 January 2017. We would encourage members of local community groups to submit their views on these proposals via the online consultation.

Jobcentres: Glasgow

Stewart Malcolm McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to extend the public consultation on proposed jobcentre closures in Glasgow to all of the eight sites that are earmarked for closure.

Damian Hinds: There is no statutory requirement for consultation on Jobcentre closures. However, where the distance from the current location to the proposed alternative Jobcentre is over three miles or 20 minutes away by public transport, we are undertaking public consultation, through Gov.uk and by post, to inform our final decisions on closure and alternative service delivery options. We have no plans to extend the public consultation on proposed Jobcentre closures in Glasgow.

Social Security Benefits: Children

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to publish its response to the findings of the consultation, Exceptions to the limiting of the individual child element of tax credits and the child element of universal credit to a maximum of two children, published in October 2016, before 31 January 2017.

Damian Hinds: The Government’s response to the consultation was published on 20 January 2017. It is available in the Library and online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/universal-credit-and-child-tax-credit-exceptions-to-the-2-child-limit.

Members: Correspondence

Mr David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall North of 20 December 2016 on housing benefit policy and student loans on behalf of a constituent.

Caroline Nokes: I replied to the hon. Member on 17 January 2017.

Jobcentres: Scotland

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Minister for Employment visited any jobcentres in Scotland during his ministerial visit in January 2017.

Damian Hinds: I was in Edinburgh on 19 January where he met Scottish Government Ministers, Church of Scotland representatives and visited Musselburgh Jobcentre.

Personal Independence Payment

Phil Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department takes in the event that people claiming personal independence payments say that they have not received correspondence sent from the Department relating to personal independence payment (a) assessments and (b) awards.

Penny Mordaunt: Where a claimant reports that correspondence has not been received, a further communication is often issued, dependent on the individual circumstances of the case.

Ministry of Defence

Armed Forces: Discharges

Kirsten  Oswald: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what changes there have been in the proportion of people leaving the armed forces who participate in the Career Transitions Service since the introduction of the Future Horizons programme.

Mark Lancaster: The Future Horizons Programme (FHP, known as CTP (Career Transition Partnership) Future Horizons since 1 October 2015) was introduced on 1 October 2013, therefore statistics have been provided on participation in the support provided by the CTP pre- and post- 1 October 2013.Between 1 April 2009 and 30 September 2013, 54 per cent of Service leavers used billable CTP services on the Core Resettlement Programme (CRP, previously known as the Full Resettlement Programme) or the Employment Support Programme (ESP).In comparison, between 1 October 2013 and 31 March 2016, 74 per cent of Service leavers used billable CTP services on the CRP, ESP or the FHP.The rise in the participation of billable CTP services between the two time periods (1 April 2009 to 30 September 2013 and 1 October 2013 to 31 March 2016) is not solely due to the introduction of the FHP. The percentage of Service leavers using billable CTP services on the CRP and ESP also increased by eight percentage points to 62 per cent.

Guided Weapons

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has for acquiring an integrated air and missile defence capability for the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement.

Harriett Baldwin: The Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence continuously review the capabilities required to deliver Royal Navy tasking, including how the Royal Navy might broaden the existing air defence and combat management systems.I am withholding further detail as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

Armed Forces: Training

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) officers and (b) officer cadets from overseas militaries have received training in the UK in each of the last five years.

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many non-commissioned personnel from overseas militaries have received training in the UK in each of the last five years.

Mark Lancaster: The number of non-commissioned personnel that have received International Defence Training in the UK over the last five financial years (FY) is shown below.FYNumbers of Non Commissioned Personnel Trained in the UK2012-136782013-145952014-156642015-167542016-17619 The figure for FY2016-17 is a projection for the whole year.

Army: Females

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many female (a) officers and (b) non-commissioned personnel are currently serving in ground close combat units.

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to raise public awareness of opportunities available to women in ground close combat roles.

Mark Lancaster: On 8 July 2016, the former Prime Minister announced that the previous exclusions on women serving in Ground Close Combat roles in the Royal Marines, Royal Armoured Corps (RAC), Infantry and Royal Air Force Regiment were being lifted. The implementation is in a phased approach over the next three years, beginning with the RAC which is open now with other roles opening from 2018.As at 20 January 2017, there are no female Regular or Reserve officers and less than five female Regular and Reserve soldiers serving in Ground Close Combat units.Marketing and recruiting material now ensures that women are aware that the RAC is open to them, and applications to join or transfer to the RAC are being processed.Please note that all figures have been rounded to the nearest five as a means of disclosure control to preserve anonymity.

Ministry of Defence: Property

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost of damage to the Defence Estate caused by officers and soldiers from overseas militaries was in each year since 2010.

Mark Lancaster: The Ministry of Defence does not hold information on damage to the Estate broken down by units of different nationalities.

Ministry of Defence: Property

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of damage to the Defence Estate caused by protestors in each year since 2010.

Mark Lancaster: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Ministry of Defence: Art Works

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many works of art his Department owns and where they are located.

Mark Lancaster: The Ministry of Defence Art Collection currently comprises 2,145 items of fine art, prints, maps, photographs, manuscripts, sculptures, antique furniture, antique clocks and chronometers. The items are located in various locations across the Defence Estate, other Government Departments, museums and other public bodies. Further to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 12 May 2016, (HCWS720) work is progressing well to transfer ownership of the most significant works within the collection to other public institutions to ensure their continued protection and public display. 



Art  Collection
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Military Aircraft

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Royal Air Force aircraft have made unapproved landings at overseas airports since 2010.

Mark Lancaster: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Home Office

Visas: Overseas Students

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will release an anonymised version of the data which her Department and its agencies hold on visa refusal rates for higher education institutions.

Mr Robert Goodwill: I am sorry but this information is not collated centrally.

Immigration

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many UK residents with limited leave to remain with no recourse to public funds subsequently  made an application to have the no recourse to public funds terms lifted in each year from 2010 to 2016.

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications to lift no recourse to public funds terms were granted in each year from 2010 to 2016.

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for limited leave to remain were granted with no recourse to public funds in each year from 2010 to 2016.

Mr Robert Goodwill: I am sorry but this information is not held in the format requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Asylum

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2017 to Question 59797, if she will make it her policy to publish data on cases covered by the Dublin Regulation.

Mr Robert Goodwill: We are currently considering options for the publication of data related to Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children transferred to the UK under the Dublin Regulation and the criteria for section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016, in line with the Immigration Minister and Minster for Vulnerable Children and Families’ Written Ministerial Statement (WMS) dated the 1 November 2016.The WMS can be found here: https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Lords/2016-11-01/HLWS231/

Human Trafficking

Oliver Dowden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many local authorities have anti-trafficking programmes.

Sarah Newton: We do not hold data on how many local authorities have specific anti-trafficking programmes. All local authorities in England and Wales have a duty under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 to notify the Home Office if they encounter a victim of modern slavery. They are also all ‘first responders’ under the National Referral Mechanism and so are able to refer victims for specialist support. Guidance on these referral processes is available on GOV.UK.

Undocumented Migrants

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the number of undocumented migrants who have (a) left the UK voluntarily, (b) been made homeless and (c) occupied unsuitable or dangerous accommodation as a result of their being unable to access the private rented sector due to the provisions of the right to rent scheme.

Mr Robert Goodwill: As with right to work checks, the Right to Rent scheme is predicated on checks being carried out by third parties (in this case landlords and lettings agents). This means that the majority of illegal migrant prospective tenants will be denied access to the private rented sector as a result of these checks with no intervention by enforcement officers or reference to the Home Office. Monitoring of the effects of the Right to Rent scheme on landlords and tenants is ongoing through the expert Landlords Consultative Panel, co-chaired by the Immigration Minister and Lord Best, an acknowledged expert in the fields of housing and planning. The Panel comprises bodies representing landlords, lettings agents, housing charities, local authorities and the Equality and Human Rights Commission amongst others. The Panel meets periodically, and communication channels outside these meetings allow for reporting by private rented sector and third sector groups of the experience of those they represent.

Hate Crime

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment her Department has made of the extent of the under-reporting of hate crimes.

Sarah Newton: The Crime Survey of England and Wales estimated that there were 222,000 hate crimes on average each year from 2012/13 to 2014/15. This represents a decrease of 56,000 since the previous period covered by the survey. At the same time, the number of hate crimes recorded by the police rose from 44,471 in 2013/14 to 52,528 in 2014/15. This increase in recorded crime is welcome as it is likely to reflect improved police practice and victim confidence in coming forward to report crimes. The difference between the crime survey figures and the police recorded figures shows that hate crimes continue to be significantly under-reported. The Hate Crime Action Plan published on 26 July 2016 includes action to increase the reporting of hate crime, including making greater use of third party reporting centres.

Refugees: Children

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016, at what date unaccompanied child refugees will arrive in Cambridge.

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the average time taken to accommodate unaccompanied child refugees in the areas of local authorities that have offered to do so.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Government has, and continues to, work closely with partners within the UK and across Europe to ensure the timely and effective transfer of children to the UK under the Dublin Regulation and section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016. The date on which an unaccompanied child refugee arrives in a local authority will depend on both when the child is brought to the UK, which will be agreed with the country in which they currently reside, and on the availability of a placement in the local authority that has agreed to participate in the National Transfer Scheme.

Refugees: Children

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of how many unaccompanied child refugees will be brought to the UK in 2017.

Mr Robert Goodwill: We will continue to meet our obligations under the Dublin Regulation and more unaccompanied children will be transferred to the UK under section 67 of the Immigration Act in the coming months. An announcement will be made in due course on the total number of children to be transferred to the UK under the Immigration Act.

Non-governmental Organisations

Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress has been made by the Government-NGO Working Group in findings ways to mitigate the direct and indirect effect of counter-terrorism legislation on humanitarian, peace-building and development non-governmental organisations.

Mr Ben Wallace: The Government continues to engage closely with UK based charities from the humanitarian, peace-building and development sectors on a range of issues relating to compliance with Counter Terrorism legislation. Comprehensive guidance for the sector on the range of legislative frameworks covering the activities of NGOs overseas was provided by the Government in November 2015 and is reviewed as required.In addition, the Government recently appointed an independent expert adviser to work alongside officials, regulators, the banking sector and charities to progress new thinking on ways that this community can implement robust compliance and due diligence processes that are in accord with Counter Terrorism legislation. This engagement is ongoing.

Entry Clearances: Families

Anna Turley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criteria are used to determine whether an applicant is likely to leave the UK by the end-date of a family visitor visa.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Applications for a visa to travel to the UK to visit family are considered on their merits, in accordance with the requirements set out in Appendix V to the Immigration Rules, taking into account the information and supporting documents provided in the application. It is for the applicant to satisfy the decision maker that they meet those requirements, including that they are a genuine visitor. A genuine visitor is a person who will leave the UK at the end of the visit, will not live in the UK for extended periods or make the UK their main home, has sufficient funds for their support during the visit and who intends to undertake permitted visit activities and not prohibited activities. The assessment of the genuineness of a visitor relates to the particular factors of the individual application, but may include the applicant’s personal and economic ties to their country of residence.

Immigrants: Private Rented Housing

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many notices her Department has issued informing a landlord that an occupier is disqualified from renting (a) since and (b) prior to 1 December 2016; how many such notices were issued where that occupier was below the age of 18 in each such period; and what process she follows in carrying out her duties under section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 in respect of such notices being issued to a person who is (i) a child and (ii) with a child.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The residential tenancy measures in the Immigration Act 2016 came into force in England on 1 December 2016. These introduced a new offence for landlords and their agents of knowingly renting to an illegal migrant, and new powers for the Home Office to prosecute for this offence; and also introduced a new route for landlords to evict illegal migrants more quickly.The Home Office may issue a notice to a landlord informing them that they are letting property to someone who is disqualified from renting; possession of such a notice allows the landlord to access the new eviction route. Landlords may avoid liability for prosecution by taking reasonable steps within a reasonable period of time to end the tenancy.

Terrorism

Mr Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2017 to Question 59330, for what reasons her Department does not hold information on the number of persons examined under Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 at individual UK airports; in what format data is supplied to her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Ben Wallace: The Home Office receives data on a quarterly basis from the National Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters (NCTPHQ) on the number of examinations and subsequent detentions made in Great Britain under Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000. The data received from NCTPHQ cover the total numbers for Great Britain as a whole, with data for individual ports and airports not provided. The data are then published in the quarterly “Operation of Police Powers under the Terrorism Act 2000 and Subsequent Legislation” publication.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many appeals there have been against refusal of an application for permanent residence by EU nationals in each of the last five years; and what proportion of those appeals have been successful.

Mr Robert Goodwill: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 23 January 2017.The correct answer should have been:

Available published data on EEA Free Movement appeals can be found in Table FIA.3 of the Tribunals and gender recognition statistics. These cover the period up to September 2016 and include data for allowed and dismissed appeals.The most recent edition is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tribunals-and-gender-recognition-certificate-statistics-quarterly-july-to-september-2016

Mr Robert Goodwill: Available published data on EEA Free Movement appeals can be found in Table FIA.3 of the Tribunals and gender recognition statistics. These cover the period up to September 2016 and include data for allowed and dismissed appeals.The most recent edition is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tribunals-and-gender-recognition-certificate-statistics-quarterly-july-to-september-2016

Asylum

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which Minister in which Department has principal responsibility for (a) refugees outside and (b) asylum seekers inside the UK.

Mr Robert Goodwill: I am responsible for the policy and operations related to asylum seekers and refugees inside the UK. The primary responsibilty for refugees outside the UK rests with the host country within which they are residing. UNHCR is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Home Office and Department for International Development work closely on matters affecting refugees outside the UK. UNHCR received a total of £168m from the Department for International Development during 2015/16. The UK has pledged £2.3 billion in humanitarian aid to Syria and neighbouring countries to further support vulnerable people and refugees. We are also providing £70 million in response to the Mediterranean migration crisis, and delivering a number of resettlement schemes.

Visas: Iran

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to develop anti-bot technology to prohibit bulk booking of appointments in respect of VFS Global visa applications in the Republic of Iran.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Technical changes have already been made to the online booking system for Tehran in order to prevent abuse of the system. We continue to work with IT experts to further improve our systems and respond to emerging challenges.

Naturalisation

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for naturalisation as a British citizen were (a) lodged, (b) granted and (c) refused in each year since 2010.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The latest available Home Office immigration statistics of British citizenship applications, grants and refusals are published in ‘Immigration Statistics, July to September 2016’, available from the Home Office website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-statistics . Quarterly statistics covering the period in question are held here. Data for October to December 2016 will be published on 23 February 2017.

Asylum

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum applications that included medical evidence of torture her Department received in each of the last five years; and how many of those applications that were rejected were subsequently overturned on appeal.

Mr Robert Goodwill: I am sorry but the data requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost by examination of individual records.

Daniel Morgan Independent Panel

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she expects the report of the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel to be released.

Brandon Lewis: The Daniel Morgan Independent Panel has advised that it expects to finalise its report in 2017, but that this timetable remains under review. Once the Independent Panel presents its final report to the Home Secretary, arrangements will be made for its publication to Parliament.

Refugees

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether someone with leave to remain in the UK as a stateless person has (a) a right to work in the UK and (b) recourse to public funds.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Those granted leave to remain as a stateless person are entitled to work and have access to public funds.

Salva Kiir Mayardit

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of South Sudan, holds (a) British citizenship and (b) a current UK passort.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Home Office has obligations under the Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998 and in law generally to protect personal data. Therefore, the Home Office neither confirms nor denies by virtue of section 40(5) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 whether it holds any information relevant to your question. This should not be taken as confirmation that any information is held.

Refugees

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for stateless person travel documents have been made in each year since 2009-10; and how many of those applications were (a) accepted and (b) rejected.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The number of travel documents granted is available in the TD_01: Travel Documents, Applications Raised and Despatched tab of the quarterly Asylum Transparency Data Tables, which are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-transparency-data

Refugees

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications to renew the right to stay in the UK as a stateless person were made by people who previously had the right to remain as a stateless person in each year since 2009-10; and how many of those applications were (a) accepted and (b) rejected.

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications to stay in the UK as a stateless person were made in each year since 2009-10; and how many of those applications were (a) accepted and (b) rejected.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Home Office Stateless policy is designed to assist those who do not qualify for protection but are unable to return to the country of their former habitual residence because they are stateless and would not be admitted to any other country. The requirements are set out in the Immigration Rules and reflect our obligations under the 1954 UN Convention relating to the status of stateless persons. The Home Office has released information on Stateless applications and decisions made in the response to previous parliamentary questions 50073, 50074 and 50075: http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2016-10-25/50073/ Additionally, the Home Office regularly shares information with UNHCR, relating to stateless applications and decisions made. The information provided is published by UNHCR, in regular trend reports, the latest published report by UNHCR on mid year trends June 2015 can be found at link below: http://www.unhcr.org/uk/statistics/unhcrstats/56701b969/mid-year-trends-june-2015.html

Proceeds of Crime

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential financial implications of redistributing funds recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 regionally rather than locally.

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy that all funds recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 are not diverted to organisations which are not empowered to conduct investigations.

Mr Ben Wallace: Normally criminal assets that are recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 are shared 50/50 between operational partners and the Home Office, as part of its core budget. In 2015 the Government made a manifesto commitment to return a greater percentage of assets recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to policing. In line with this commitment, all money collected above the 2015/16 baseline of £184 million, that would be part of the Home Office core budget, will now be returned entirely to the Regional Asset Recovery Teams (RART). Allocations to local forces and agencies will not change, and no additional funds are being given to organisations that do not engage in investigations.

Refugees: Children

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2016 to Question 49716, what further progress has been made by her Department in processing refugee family reunion applications for unaccompanied children in France with family ties in the UK; and how many family reunion applications (a) are still outstanding and (b) were closed without a decision being made because the applicant went missing.

Mr Robert Goodwill: As part of the UK’s support for the Calais camp clearance, we welcomed more than 750 children to the UK. Many have been reunited with family members already in the UK, while others are being cared for by local authorities across the UK.We supported the French in their efforts to move all children from the camp in Calais to safe alternative accommodation across France. Home Office staff, interpreters and social workers visited the specialist centres in France to carry out the necessary assessments and we inter-viewed all children who were present in the specialist centres at the time they visited. The phase of the Calais operation immediately following the dismantling of the camps has concluded, barring a few outstanding cases which are still being considered for transfer.There is no application process under the Dublin Regulation, which determines the Member State responsible for processing an asylum claim. We will continue to meet our obligations under the Dublin Regulation and accept responsibility for processing asylum claims where the UK is determined to be the responsible Member State.

Fire and Rescue Services: Vehicles

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many fire service vehicles have been found to be fitted with emissions defeat devices; and how many of those devices have been removed from such vehicles.

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police vehicles have been found to be fitted with emissions defeat devices; and how many of those devices have been removed from such vehicles.

Brandon Lewis: The Home Office does not hold information about police and fire vehicles. These are operational matters for individual Chief Officers of police and fire.

Refugees: Children

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to her oral contribution of 10 October 2016, Official Report, column 25, whether her Department transferred all the minors from the Calais camp within days of the demolition of that facility.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Calais camp clearance was a French-led operation and the UK worked closely with the French authorities to support the process of transferring children out of the camp quickly and safely. Almost 200 minors were transferred from the Calais camp to the UK between 10 October and the start of the clearance operation on 24 October. The Home Office worked with the French Government to ensure that suitable accommodation was provided for all minors during the operation. Home Office officials worked at pace, whilst carrying out the proper safeguarding, age assessment and security checks, working closely with local authorities and social workers here in the UK to ensure that where it was in their best interests, eligible children were transferred to the UK as soon as possible. Since 10 October 2016, more than 750 children have arrived. This is in line with the commitments made by the Home Secretary to Parliament on 24 October.

Immigration: EEA Nationals

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to simplify the process for UK-resident EEA nationals and their families to apply for permanent residence status.

Mr Robert Goodwill: We continue to make all applications quicker and easier. As part of the ongoing Home Office programme to digitise all applications for immigration routes, a service was launched in October 2016 to enable single EEA applicants to apply for permanent residence online.

Police: Animals

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department takes to promote the welfare of dogs and horses used by the police.

Brandon Lewis: Police support animals make an outstanding contribution to the detection and prevention of crime and in maintaining public safety. The welfare of police support animals is the responsibility of police leaders and forces, who are committed to their ethical and effective management, training and handling. Later this year an update of the police dog guidance manual will be published which will address the deployment, safety and welfare of police dogs. In the meanwhile I am working with police leaders and Ministerial colleagues to explore whether there is more that the law should do to offer the most appropriate protections to police animals and all working animals assaulted as they go about their duties.

HM Treasury

Gift Aid

Royston Smith: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what (a) guidance and (b) regulations apply to the allocation of Gift Aid funds by charities in receipt of such funds.

Jane Ellison: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is responsible for ensuring charities and donors claim only the reliefs to which they are entitled. The legislation on Gift Aid is at sections 413 to 430 Income Tax Act 2007. Guidance for donors can be found at https://www.gov.uk/donating-to-charity/gift-aid. Guidance for charities can be found at https://www.gov.uk/claim-gift-aid/overview. It is the role of the Charity regulators to ensure charities are publicly accountable for the management of their funds (including Gift Aid) and have used them for their stated charitable purposes. The Charity Commission is responsible for the regulation of all charities in England and Wales. Charities in Scotland and Northern Ireland are regulated by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland respectively.

Apprentices: Taxation

Neil Gray: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate how much his Department expects to accrue to the public purse in this financial year from the apprenticeship levy.

Jane Ellison: The apprenticeship levy takes effect from April 2017. The expected yield for the apprenticeship levy for each financial year from 2017-18 to 2021-22 is published in table C.5: ‘Current Receipts’, in the Autumn Statement 2016 document available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/571559/autumn_statement_2016_web.pdf

Cabinet Office

Government Departments: Females

Jake Berry: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what proportion of full-time equivalent employees are women in the gross salary bands (a) £150,000 to £155,000, (b) £155,000 to £160,000, (c) £160,000 to £165,000, (d) £165,000 to £170,000, (e) £170,000 to £175,000, (f) £175,000 to £180,000, (g) £180,000 to £185,000, (h) £185,000 to £190,000, (i) £190,000 to £195,000, (j) £195,000 to £200,000 and (k) £200,000 and above for each government Department and Office.

Chris Skidmore: The Cabinet Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Fraud

Lyn Brown: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, in what year the Crime Survey for England and Wales first asked questions on (a) any form of cyber-enabled and (b) credit card fraud.

Chris Skidmore: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UKSA Letter to Member - Credit Card Fraud
(PDF Document, 279.79 KB)

Department for International Trade

Yemen: Food Supply

Ms Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if the Government will offer credit guarantees to commercial shipping agents to ensure future food supplies to Yemen.

Mark Garnier: The Government is aware of the issue regarding Yemeni importers’ access to finance for food imports and continues to lobby all parties to the conflict to facilitate commercial access.The Department for International Development (DfID) is providing £1.4 million for the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM) to speed up the clearance process for ships, improve commercial confidence and reduce the price of basic goods. DfID officials are engaging with a range of partners to understand the issues for importer access to finance and explore potential solutions.UK Export Finance has not been approached to provide credit guarantees for exports to Yemen, and is currently off cover due to the extremely poor risk outlook.

Arms Trade: Exports

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, which Minister approved the arms export licence given to CAS Global in July 2014.

Mark Garnier: This was a routine strategic export licence application approved at official level, in line with standard processing procedures.In July 2014 the Department for Business Innovation and Skills had overall responsibility for the export licensing process. The then Secretary of State (Vince Cable) was responsible for the decision to grant or refuse an export licence in any individual case.

Arms Trade: USA

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what estimate he has made of the value of UK exports secured through the US Department of Defense Foreign Comparative Testing Program since 2010.

Mark Garnier: Between 1980 and 2016 UK companies have received $483m in FCT Test and Evaluation funding and secured $3.17bn in follow-on acquisitions (averaging nearly $90m per year), more than double that of the next country (Germany). For the 2016/2017 period UK companies are participating in 14 ongoing Test & Evaluation programmes.

Arms Trade: USA

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help companies engage with the US Department of Defense Foreign Comparative Testing Program.

Mark Garnier: The Defence Security Organisation (DSO), through the British Embassy in Washington DC, has a strong relationship with the Foreign Comparative Test (FCT) Program. We coordinate regular activities in the UK promoting the opportunities provided by the Program including events at Farnborough International Air Show, Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI) and Defence Procurement, Research, Technology & Exportability (DPRTE) as well as bespoke events where the FCT engage with British industry on a 1-2-1 basis.

Investment: Treaties

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the Government has undertaken an investor state dispute settlement risk assessment of UK legislation relating to (a) health, (b) the environment, (c) waste management and (d) fisheries.

Mark Garnier: The UK is signatory to over 90 bilateral investment treaties (BITs) containing investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions. The objective of BITs is to provide investors with fair and equitable treatment, protection against discriminatory action and a commitment not to expropriate investments without compensation. The contents of BITs do not generally provide specific obligations to either investors or states regarding health, the environment, waste management or fisheries.

World Trade Organisation

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the Government has undertaken an audit of the compliance with World Trade Organisation rules of UK legislation relating to (a) health, (b) the environment, (c) waste management and (d) fisheries.

Mark Garnier: The UK is a founding Member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and implements its obligations under the WTO Agreements.

Trade Fairs: USA

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what financial support his Department provided to (a) start-up and (b) other companies that attended the consumer electronics show in Las Vegas on 5 to 8 January 2017.

Mark Garnier: The UK continues to be a world-leader in the tech and innovation industry, and events like the Consumer Electronic Show can provide UK businesses with vital contacts to build their brand abroad. We want to help UK businesses make the most of trade and investment opportunities including in the US, through targeted support and bespoke business matching that better maximises their presence to win vital contracts abroad.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Iron and Steel

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (a) how much steel in weight her Department has procured, (b) for what purpose that steel was procured and (c) what the countries of origin of that steel were in each of the last five years.

George Eustice: The department was not collecting this data over the period in question so we are unfortunately not able to provide this information. In Autumn 2015, Government issued guidance to central government departments on how to take social and economic factors into account in their procurements to help level the playing field for UK steel producers. This guidance has now been extended to the wider public sector. Since publication of the guidance, Government has been working closely with departments to monitor its impact and ensure delivery. There are no plans to share Government level data publicly, due to its provisional nature. On 13th December 2016, the Government published its indicative future steel requirements to 2020, to enable UK steel manufacturers to better plan in advance of future government contracts.

Animal Welfare

Anna Turley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in how many cases under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 a fine was imposed in (a) 2014, (b) 2015 and (c) 2016.

Anna Turley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many prosecutions under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 were heard at magistrates' courts in England and Wales in (a) 2014, (b) 2015 and (c) 2016.

George Eustice: The number of proceedings heard at magistrates’ courts, and those which were found guilty, sentenced and had a fine imposed under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in England and Wales, 2014 and 2015 can be viewed below. Court proceedings data for 2016 are planned for publication in May 2017.  Outcome20142015Proceeded against1,4331,103Found Guilty1,080831Sentenced1,078833of which Fine219143 The table includes the following offences: Animal Welfare Act 2006 Section 4(1)(2), 5(a)(b)32(1)(2(40), 6(1)(a)(b)2,8,9,12, 7(a)(b)2, 8(1)(a to i),(2), 9, 11(1)(3), 13(6), 18(12),34(9) The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. The numbers of offenders sentenced and found guilty in the same year may differ due to some being sentenced the following year.

Animal Welfare: Prosecutions

Anna Turley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many prosecutions under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 resulted in a prison sentence in (a) 2014, (b) 2015 and (c) 2016.

Anna Turley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many prosecutions under section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 resulted in a prison sentence in (a) 2014, (b) 2015 and (c) 2016.

George Eustice: The numbers of prosecutions, those which were found guilty and sentenced, and those which resulted in prison sentence under section 4 and 9 of Animal Welfare Act 2006 can be viewed in the table below. Court proceedings data for 2016 are planned for publication in May 2017.  Animal Welfare Act 2006 Section 4Animal Welfare Act 2006 Section 9Outcome2014201520142015Proceeded against1,016775391302Found guilty800612266208Sentenced801614263208of whichImmediate Custody78551021 The table includes the following offences: Animal Welfare Act 2006 Section 4(1)(2), 32(1)(2), 9. The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. The numbers of offenders sentenced and found guilty in the same year may differ due to some being sentenced the following year. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice. PQ 60104 & 60113

Bees and Butterflies: Conservation

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to protect the habitats of bees and butterflies.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Government is committed to the goal of being the first generation to leave the natural environment of England in a better state than that in which we found it. We are developing a 25 year environment plan to deliver this. In England we have an extensive network of protected wildlife areas providing benefits for many species. It includes sites specifically designated for species of particular importance, including the marsh fritillary butterfly designated under the Habitats Directive. Our agri-environment schemes also play a major role in the conservation of pollinators. The Wild Pollinator and Farm Wildlife Package in the Countryside Stewardship scheme offers options to improve habitats and provide nectar sources for butterflies and bees, thereby supporting the National Pollinator Strategy.

Air Pollution: Standards

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to maintain the UK's air quality targets after the UK leaves the EU.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Prime Minister announced last year our plans for a Repeal Bill that will convert current EU law into domestic British law. Our intention is to ensure a smooth and orderly transition via the Repeal Bill and to provide as much certainty as possible by maintaining the existing laws. The Government will set out further actions to improve air quality next year including consulting on a revised National Air Quality Plan for nitrogen dioxide by 24 April. The final plan will be in place by the end of July. We will also publish the UK Government’s air pollution action plan, which will include all pollutants and implement the requirements of the National Emissions Ceilings Directive, no later than March 2019. Air quality has improved significantly in recent decades; we are working at local, national and international levels and will continue to do more. As we prepare to negotiate our exit from the European Union, the Government will continue to ensure that the right policies are in place for a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone. Air quality targets are set in law and our strong commitment to environmental issues will continue after the UK leaves the EU.

Common Agricultural Policy: Scotland

Angela Crawley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Scottish Government on Common Agricultural Policy payments.

George Eustice: We held meetings with all of the Devolved Administrations, including Scotland, in Cardiff on 8 November, in Brussels at December Council on 11 December and we plan a further meeting in February. In addition, officials from Defra are in regular contact with officials in Scottish Government regarding plans for the Great Repeal Bill.

Common Agricultural Policy: Scotland

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with Ministers of the Scottish Government on the future of Common Agricultural Policy payments; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice: We held meetings with all of the Devolved Administrations, including Scotland, in Cardiff on 8 November, in Brussels at December Council on 11 December and we plan a further meeting in February. In addition, officials from Defra are in regular contact with officials in Scottish Government regarding plans for the Great Repeal Bill.

Animal Products: Imports

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2017 to Question 59331, how many applications for import permits relating to hunting trophies were (a) received, (b) approved and (c) refused by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee in each of the last five years.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: There has only been a requirement for Lion (Panthera leo) hunting trophies to have import permits since the beginning of 2015. APHA act as the Management Authority for CITES. JNCC act as our scientific advisors on the matter of CITES applications. Data for calendar year 2015 :Number of applications received: 11Number of applications approved: 11Total refused = 0 Data for calendar year 2016Number of applications received: 6Number of applications approved: 6Total refused = 0

School Milk

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress her Department has made on implementing the revised European School Milk scheme.

George Eustice: Alongside the much larger free nursery milk scheme for infants run by the Department of Health and the Department for Education, the EU School Milk Scheme plays a valuable role in encouraging the consumption of dairy products and contributing to the development of healthy eating habits from an early age. We will continue to participate in the new EU scheme from 1 August 2017. Officials are working on the detailed arrangements and we are consulting closely with stakeholders on our plans.

Environment Protection: Legal Costs

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on proposed changes to cost protections for environmental claims; and what assessment she has made of the effect of those changes on environmental (a) justice and the UK's compliance with the Aarhus Convention and (b) standards.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Ministry of Justice leads on the policy and assessments on changes to cost protections for environmental claims. My Ministerial colleagues and I have had no discussions with my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Justice, Elizabeth Truss, on proposed changes to cost protections for environmental claims.

Department of Health

Ambulance Services: North West

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 6 January 2017 to Question 58829, what information his Department and North West Ambulance hold on ambulance crews provided by (a) St John's Ambulance, (b) Jigsaw Medical Services and (c) other providers to North West Ambulance Services on each day from 23 December 2016 to 2 January 2017; what assessment his Department has made of the need to obtain ambulances from non-NHS providers over the Christmas and New Year period 2016; and what steps his Department plans to take for the provision of ambulance services between 22 December 2017 and 1 January 2018.

Mr Philip Dunne: Pursuant to the answer of the 11 January 2017 to Question 58829, the Department does not hold the information requested. The Department has made no such assessment. Operational issues such as the need to obtain additional resources to manage peaks in demand are the responsibility of individual ambulance services. The provision of ambulance services will form part of the National Health Service planning arrangements for winter 2017-18 as part of year-round operational resilience planning to ensure the health and social care system is well prepared to cope with winter pressures.

Accident and Emergency Departments: North West

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 11 January 2017 to Question 58828, what information his Department holds on (a) the number of people who had to wait in corridors and other locations prior to being admitted to and (b) waiting times to be seen at accident and emergency units at (i) Royal Preston Hospital, (ii) Royal Blackburn Hospital, (iii) Royal Lancaster Infirmary and (iv) Blackpool Victoria Hospital on each day from 23 December 2016 to 2 January 2017.

Mr Philip Dunne: Pursuant to the answer of 11 January 2017 to Question 58828, the Department does not hold the information requested. NHS England publishes Winter Daily Situation Reports from acute trusts during winter to indicate where there are any winter pressures on the service around the country such as accident and emergency closures and diverts. The latest data is for week-ending 8 January 2017 and is available at the following address:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/winter-daily-sitreps/winter-daily-sitrep-2016-17-data/

Brain: Medical Equipment

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many neuroangiography machines are available in each region of the UK.

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how often neuroangiography machines in UK hospitals are replaced.

David Mowat: This information is not held centrally.

General Practitioners

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the GP-to-patient ratio was in (a)  North Lancashire Community Care Group (CCG), (b) Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre CCG and (c) England in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012, (iv) 2013 and (v) 2014.

David Mowat: The requested information is contained in the table below. General practitioners (excluding Registrars, Retainers and Locums) per 100,000 patients, 2010-2016 20101201112012120132014September 2015March 20162England63.86463.763.563.462.262.1NHS Lancashire North Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)   7675.276.774.6NHS Blackpool CCG   63.161.952.451.5NHS Fylde and Wyre CCG   61.761.857.761Blackpool Primary Care Trust (PCT)16163.565.3North Lancashire Teaching PCT161.763.164.8Notes:1Prior to 2013, CCGs did not exist. The organisations shown in the table are those in operation at the time of each NHS Workforce Census. Blackpool PCT and North Lancashire Teaching PCT are not completely coterminous with the three CCGs shown from 2013 onwards, but the data provides the closest mapping available between years.2March 2016 data was collected and published in full on the workforce Minimum Dataset for the first time in March 2016. These figures have been included to provide the most up-to-date information.Headcount methodology: the latest headcount methodology means this data is not fully comparable with previous years, due to improvements that make it a more stringent count of absolute staff numbers.

Medical Treatments: Cost Effectiveness

Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what mechanisms the NHS Clinical Evaluation Team's process to review NHS products uses to engage with industry.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Clinical Evaluation Team attends and updates industry at the NHS Supplier Board meetings. As part of the stakeholder engagement process, the team will decide if an initial introductory meeting is required with suppliers to explain the process for clinical review and how they can contribute by providing product information. This may be followed by specific supplier meetings or call for action letters, if required.

Medical Treatments: Cost Effectiveness

Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reasons manufacturers have been given 72 hours to comment on the draft assessment results of their products as part of the NHS Clinical Evaluation Team's process to review NHS products; and whether this is considered best practice.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Clinical Evaluation Team considered that in order for the team to be acting reasonably it should give suppliers the opportunity to correct factual inaccuracies and errors about their products before the team published their reports. The Clinical Evaluation Team considered that a minimum period of 72 hours ahead of publication would be a reasonable period for suppliers to alert the team to any such factual and material errors or mistakes that may have been made against those reviews. This minimum period is a starting point for suppliers and the team may give suppliers more time if in the circumstances it is reasonable to do so.

Medical Treatments: Cost Effectiveness

Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether manufacturers will see evaluation reports and comparative summaries of products reviewed by the NHS Clinical Evaluation Team before they are made publicly available.

Mr Philip Dunne: Suppliers will be provided with copies of the Clinical Evaluation Team’s evaluation reports on their products at least 72 hours before the publication date in order to give them the opportunity to correct factual inaccuracies and errors about their products. After taking into consideration any such factual inaccuracies and errors notified by suppliers, the Clinical Evaluation Team will then publish the final report containing all products assessed on its website.

Medical Treatments: Cost Effectiveness

Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps the NHS Business Services Authority is taking to ensure that the criteria for the review of NHS products by the NHS Clinical Evaluation Team are made public to patients and industry.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Clinical Evaluation Team has published an operating manual, entitled “NHS Clinical Evaluation Team: Operating Manual” which can be found on the Clinical Evaluation Team’s section of NHS Business Services Authority website:www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/CET This manual explains the process of developing the clinical criteria for each product group.

Cancer: Health Services

Dr Sarah Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the National Audit Office's report, Progress in improving cancer services and outcomes in England, published in January 2015, what the total spend on cancer care in the NHS per newly diagnosed patient was for the most recent period for which figures are available.

David Mowat: The National Audit Office published an estimate of the total amount spent on cancer care in the National Health Service to show the relative scale of the cost of cancer services to the NHS. The NHS does not routinely publish estimates of the total amount spent on cancer patients as the large scale and highly complex range of services that cancer patients interact with makes this very difficult. Many of the services used by people with cancer, in particular diagnostic and rehabilitation services, but also some treatment services, are not specific to cancer patients.

Carers

Mims Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions the Government has had with NHS England on ensuring that the mandate to NHS England for 2017-18 reflects the Government's plans to improve support for carers through its forthcoming Carers Strategy.

David Mowat: The Government’s mandate to NHS England for 2016-17 set a clear expectation that carers should routinely be identified by services and given access to information and advice about the support available. The Government’s mandate to NHS England for 2017-18 is currently being developed in consultation with NHS England and Healthwatch England, and will be published in due course. Discussions are ongoing between the Government and NHS England to develop a range of actions to further support carers through the forthcoming Carers Strategy.

Out-patients: Attendance

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to decrease the number of people missing hospital appointments.

Mr Philip Dunne: Information published by NHS England shows that the proportion of hospital outpatient appointments that were missed by patients has decreased from 10.3% in 2009-10 to 8.9% in 2015-16. It is the responsibility of National Health Service hospital trusts to make their own arrangements for reducing the number of missed appointments. Intensive Support Teams within NHS Improvement have published an information sheet1 containing a range of initiatives that NHS hospital trusts should consider. The Department, in conjunction with behavioural scientists at Imperial College, has conducted randomised controlled trials at Barts Hospitals NHS Trust into the content of the most effective text reminder. The results were published in an online academic journal2 in September 2015 and summarised on the Department’s website3 in January 2016. The NHS e-Referral Service replaced Choose and Book in June 2015. From 2016-17, as well as booking appointments, patients have been able to change or cancel their appointment on a smartphone, tablet or computer.The NHS Constitution is clear that patients have responsibilities too, including “to keep appointments, or cancel within a reasonable time.” References:1 http://www.nhsimas.nhs.uk/fileadmin/Files/IST/NHS_IMAS_IST_Cancellations_and_DNA_s_Information_Sheet__Final__I-26_v1.00.pdf2 http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.01373063 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reducing-missed-hospital-appointments-using-text-messages

NHS: Sustainable Development

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if his Department will issue guidance on whether the winter pressures on the NHS will be taken into account in the development of sustainable transformation plans.

David Mowat: The National Health Service faces higher demand every winter, and its staff are experienced in advance planning to meet the challenges this brings. With Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs), the NHS and local authorities have come together to develop proposals for health and care in their area over the next few years, helping them to tackle growing demand. With services feeling the strain, collaboration between organisations will give doctors, nurses and care staff the best chance of success. STPs are based on local knowledge about the priorities in each part of the country, including those relating to local winter pressure. Each was asked to tackle strategic challenges and to make progress on national priorities, including the Urgent and Emergency Care Review chaired by Sir Bruce Keogh. To help with this, local STP leaders received practical guides from NHS England and NHS Improvement describing what success in 2020 would look like and giving suggestions about how they could approach implementation. These included subjects relevant to winter pressures like urgent and emergency care.

NHS Trusts: Recruitment

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussions he has had with NHS trusts on their recruitment plans for filling vacant posts.

Mr Philip Dunne: My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health meets with National Health Service partners on a regular basis to discuss a range of issues, including ensuring that trusts have enough doctors and nurses to ensure they can deliver safe, high quality care. On 25 August 2016, NHS Digital published the NHS Vacancy Statistics for England, which shows number of full time equivalent advertised vacancies placed on NHS Jobs, the online recruitment service for the NHS. The publication showed that at 31 March 2016 the total number of full time equivalent advertised vacancies was 26,424. It is important to note that an advert might cover multiple vacancies or an ongoing recruitment programme and adverts can also be placed by NHS sub-contractors and local authorities so not all adverts will be for jobs in the NHS. Therefore, the data should be seen as a proxy as it only shows the minimum number of vacancies advertised. The latest workforce data published by NHS Digital on 20 December 2016 showed that as at September 2016 there are 561,839 professionally qualified clinical staff working in the NHS, an increase of over 29,300 (5.5%) since May 2010. The Department set up Health Education England (HEE) to deliver a better health and care workforce for England. HEE is responsible for ensuring that there is a secure workforce supply for the future by balancing need against demand and taking into account factors such as the age profile of the existing workforce, the impact of technology and new drugs.

Health Services: Reciprocal Arrangements

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans his Department has for securing access to free health care for UK nationals travelling in the EU after the UK has left the EU.

David Mowat: While the people of the United Kingdom have voted to leave the European Union, until exit negotiations are concluded the UK remains a full member of the EU and all the rights and obligations of EU membership remain in force, including the rights associated with medical treatment abroad. Nothing has yet been decided on the future of British citizen medical treatment abroad. Government officials are considering the positions and options available to us with the aim of achieving the best outcome for British citizens in the UK and abroad.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department plans to take to reduce accident and emergency waiting times in NHS hospitals in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency.

Mr Philip Dunne: Reducing accident and emergency (A&E) waiting times is a high priority for the National Health Service, which is why the national A&E Improvement Plan was launched by NHS England and NHS Improvement in July 2016. It set out five key initiatives that systems should adopt during 2016/17 across their local Urgent and Emergency Care pathways to improve national performance against the A&E waiting time standard that 95% of patients wait for less than four hours before they are admitted, discharged or transferred to another hospital. As part of the plan, systems are segmented on the basis of performance with a targeted support offer available to the most challenged trusts. This may include access to the Emergency Care Improvement Programme (ECIP) and strong engagement with regional NHS England and NHS Improvement teams overseen by NHS regional directors. The improvement actions broadly aim to unblock local barriers to patient flow through the system, sharing and embedding best practice and lessons learnt. Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust is one of the trusts reciving support through ECIP, who therefore have access to the NHS’ leading clinical and operational experts in improving patient flow through emergency departments and wider healthcare system. At Queen’s Hospital in Romford (part of Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust), A&E performance is being monitored by NHS England and NHS Improvement through daily Pressure Surge calls and additional assurance is carried out for weekends and bank holidays. Local health and social care teams have a comprehensive plan in place which sets out how they manage expected winter pressures, including a number of improvement initiatives to improve length of stay and discharge. The local system also has a long-term programme of improvement which is aligned to the national Urgent and Emergency Care improvement strategy.

Hospitals: Waiting Lists

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients starting consultant-led treatment have waited 18 weeks or more from GP referral in (a) Leeds, (b) West Yorkshire and (c) the UK in each year since 2010.

Mr Philip Dunne: NHS England publishes data on how many patients waited 18 weeks or more from general practitioner referral to first definitive treatment, by admitted to hospital and non-admitted outpatient pathways. The table attached shows the number of admitted pathways and number of non-admitted pathways over 18 weeks by month from April 2010 in Leeds, West Yorkshire and England. Health is a devolved matter in the rest of the United Kingdom.



PQ60407 attached file
(Excel SpreadSheet, 47 KB)

Prescriptions

David Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the Government's policy is on enabling GPs to prescribe products which they consider appropriate for their patients rather than placing statutory restrictions on products open for prescription.

Nicola Blackwood: A general practitioner (GP) is able to prescribe any product on the National Health Service they consider necessary for the treatment of their patient unless it is listed in Schedules 1 or 2 to the NHS (General Medical Services Contracts) (Prescription of Drugs etc.) Regulations 2004. The Government is committed to the use of evidence-based therapies for NHS patients. Schedule 1, commonly referred to as the blacklist, lists a number of drugs, medicines and other substances which GPs cannot prescribe on the NHS, for example, Ribena and some sun tan lotions. Schedule 2, commonly referred to as the greylist, lists drugs, medicines and other substances which GPs can only prescribe in certain circumstances on the NHS, for example influenza treatments for ‘at risk’ groups.

Homeopathy

David Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the reasons were for his Department's announcement of 13 November 2015 that it intended to undertake a consultation on whether homeopathic prescriptions should be added to Schedule 1 of products not considered effective for us on the NHS; and what discussions he had on this announcement with external stakeholders prior to 13 November 2015.

Nicola Blackwood: The Government has made no such announcement and has not had discussions with external stakeholders.

Homeopathy

David Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the Government said in correspondence to Bindmans LLP on 24 April 2015 that a blanket ban on homeopathic products would simply be unreasonable and disproportionate.

Nicola Blackwood: In correspondence to the Department of Health of February and April 2015, Bindmans LLP asked the Government for a blanket ban on the National Health Service prescribing of homeopathic products. Bindmans LLP argued for this on the basis of the costs of these products to the NHS and that homeopathic products were borderline substances. In its April 2015 reply to Bindmans LLP, a Government official replied to explain that homeopathic products were, in fact, legally defined as medicines and the cost of homeopathic products in NHS primary care was small and reducing. Given this, we considered Bindmans LLP justification for their proposed ban as legally unreasonable and disproportionate.

Cervical Cancer: Screening

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing HPV self-sampling as part of the cervical screening programme.

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussions he has had with Public Health England on increasing cervical screening  uptake among women from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to tackle the decline in cervical screening uptake among women in the age groups (a) 25 to 29 and (b) 60 to 64.

Nicola Blackwood: The United Kingdom National Screening Committee, the independent body, who advises Ministers and the National Health Service in all four countries on screening matters, is currently reviewing the evidence for human papillomavirus self-sampling as an additional test within the NHS Cervical screening programme.There is a range of work being undertaken by Public Health England (PHE) to understand the reasons for the decline in cervical screening uptake and to try and address them. They include: providing access to data, benchmarking for providers, and timely and useful information for commissioners; developing behavioural insight through communication with commissioners, providers, patients and public; commissioning contracts in public health and primary care; developing relationships with commissioners and providers; and sharing best practice including what works well, evaluation and how to embed quality improvement. PHE is working with colleagues in NHS England and NHS Digital to implement the Accessible Information Standard which is intended to improve access to services for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. Through the re-development of cervical Information Technology systems opportunities will arise to review how to help improve uptake. PHE supports providers to help meet the Accessible Information Standard through the provision of high quality information for people with learning disabilities or sensory loss. A national group of experts and service users has been set up to oversee this work and will be updating the existing easy read leaflets and developing new materials over the next 18 months. NHS England closely monitors the coverage rates for cervical screening in all age groups and is committed to improving coverage and reducing variation between all age groups. Local NHS England commissioners analyse coverage rates within their area and work with general practices to improve coverage by sharing best practice.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients used Type (a) 1, (b) 2 and (c) 3 accident and emergency units in each English region in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2015-16.

Mr Philip Dunne: NHS England publishes, on a monthly basis, the number of attendances at accident and emergency departments in England. The latest data is for November 2016 and is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ae-waiting-times-and-activity/statistical-work-areasae-waiting-times-and-activityae-attendances-and-emergency-admissions-2016-17/

NHS Walk-in Centres

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his Department's definition is of an NHS walk-in centre.

Mr Philip Dunne: A National Health Service walk-in centre is defined as a type 3 accident and emergency (A&E) department that provides routine and urgent primary care for minor ailments and injuries (sprains for example) and can be routinely accessed without appointment. A walk-in centre may be doctor led or nurse led. It may be co-located with a major A&E or sited in the community.Further information is provided at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ae-waiting-times-and-activity/

NHS Walk-in Centres

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department issues guidance to local NHS commissioners on the effectiveness of the use of walk-in centres.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Department does not issue guidance to local National Health Service commissioners relating to the effectiveness of walk in centres. All commissioned services are subject to review of their effectiveness both against the services specified in the contract and their impact or intended outcome.

NHS Walk-in Centres

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on the potential causal link between the availability of NHS walk-in centres and levels of Type 1 accident and emergency attendance in the vicinity of such centres.

Mr Philip Dunne: NHS England’s Urgent and Emergency Care Review published in 2013, set out a vision to transform radically the way in which Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) services are provided, shifting care outside of the hospital setting, and close to patients’ homes where possible whilst ensuring those with serious or life threatening emergency needs are treated in centres with the very best expertise and facilities. The recommendations of the Review are now being implemented. A key enabler for transformation of urgent and emergency care has been the establishment of 23 Urgent and Emergency Care networks across the four regions of England. These networks are responsible for describing and creating agreed, effective clinical pathways of care and work across traditional boundaries to ensure that all patients are managed, that mutual trust is developed in the system, and that no clinical decision is made in isolation. The Urgent and Emergency Care Review has encouraged co-location of community-based urgent care services in coordinated Urgent Care Centres with emergency departments where it makes sense to do so. Networks have provided local expert advice to Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) footprints to develop the UEC element of their plans to ensure patients can access the appropriate care they need as conveniently as possible for their defined geographies including access to definitive care of all categories, severity and complexity of emergency. Networks are now supporting STPs to describe the detail of these plans for practical delivery.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many Type (a) 1, (b) 2 and (c) 3 accident and emergency units there were in each English region in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2015-16.

Mr Philip Dunne: This information is not available in the format requested.Activity at accident and emergency (A&E) departments is reported at provider level to NHS England and this can often include more than one site and more than one type of A&E department. All reported activity is provided in the time series data, available from August 2010 and can be accessed at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ae-waiting-times-and-activity/statistical-work-areasae-waiting-times-and-activityae-attendances-and-emergency-admissions-2016-17/In the latest reported month, November 2016, a total of 231 individual providers reported A&E attendances in one or more types of department. Of these 231 providers: 138 providers reported Type 1 activity in November 2016 in one or more sites, 32 providers reported Type 2 activity in November 2016 in one or more sites and 171 providers reported Type 3 activity in November 2016 in one or more sites. 93 providers reported more than one type of activity.

Suicide

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the suicide rate in England was in 2016.

Nicola Blackwood: The Department does not hold this information. The Office of National Statistics publishes suicide statistics annually, however the most recent available data for suicide rates is for 2015 and can be found here:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/suicidesintheunitedkingdom/previousReleases Statistics for 2016 suicide rates will be published in due course.

Self-harm: Young People

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people aged between 15 and 19 were hospitalised for self-harm in each year since 2010.

Nicola Blackwood: The data is not held in the format requested.

Suicide: Mothers

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many mothers died by suicide within a year after the birth of their child in (a) 2015 and (b) 2016.

Nicola Blackwood: The Department does not hold this information centrally.

Suicide

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of people who have died by suicide who had lost a member of their immediate family to suicide in each year since 2010.

Nicola Blackwood: The Department does not hold this information.

Suicide

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of how many people in England have lost a member of their immediate family to suicide in each year since 2010.

Nicola Blackwood: The Department does not hold this information.

Cancer: Surgery

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many cancer patients have had their operation cancelled due to a shortage of beds in each month since January 2016.

Mr Philip Dunne: The information requested is not available centrally. NHS England collects the number of elective operations cancelled at the ‘last minute’ for non-clinical reasons on a quarterly basis. It does not collect the total number of cancelled operations, a breakdown of the type of operations that have been cancelled, or the specific reason for the cancellation. Operations cancelled for clinical reasons are not collected as the patient is not available for the operation. A last minute cancellation is defined as when a patient’s operation is cancelled by the hospital on or after the day of admission (including the day of surgery) for non-clinical reasons. The collection does not therefore capture elective operations cancelled or rearranged with more notice. Quarter 3 2016/17 data, January to March 2017, will be published in May 2017.

Diabetes: Screening

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have been tested for diabetes under the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.

Nicola Blackwood: The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP) is for individuals diagnosed as high risk of type 2 diabetes, with a high blood sugar recorded in the past 12 months either through a National Health Service health check or other means. NHS DPP does not test for diabetes but rather offers support to those at risk of type 2 diabetes.

Department of Health: Conflict, Stability and Security Fund

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what projects by (a) name and (b) value his Department funded from the Conflict Stabilisation and Security Fund; and which of those projects were categorised as contributing towards Overseas Development Aid.

Nicola Blackwood: The Department does not receive any funding for projects from the Conflict Stability and Security Fund.

Abortion

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the findings of the report from the Care Quality Commission on Marie Stopes International, published in December 2016, what steps his Department plans to put in place to ensure that fetal remains are disposed of by private abortion clinics respectfully and in accordance with the wishes of patients who have undergone abortions.

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he has made an assessment of the implications of the findings of the Care Quality Commission's report of 20 December 2016 on Marie Stopes International for (a) patient safety and (b) public confidence in private abortion clinics; and if he will make a statement.

Nicola Blackwood: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) continues to monitor the progress of Marie Stopes International (MSI) very closely and plans to inspect its centres and United Kingdom administrative offices again in the near future to ensure that ongoing improvements are made and maintained. The CQC has made clear that they will not hesitate to take further action, if necessary, in order to guarantee MSI meets the standard of care they expect and that its patients deserve. MSI is addressing the issues raised, including the management of fetal remains. The Department continues to monitor the situation with particular regard being had to the statutory approval responsibilities of the Secretary of State.

UNICEF

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many times and on which dates (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department have met with representatives of Unicef Baby Friendly.

Nicola Blackwood: There have been no meetings between Departmental Ministers and representatives of Unicef Baby Friendly, during the period of 1 January 2016 and 20 January 2017. Departmental officials attended three meetings where representatives of Unicef Baby Friendly were present. These meetings took place on 5 July 2016, 28 July 2016 and 15 December 2016.

First Steps Nutrition Trust

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many times and on which dates (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department have met with representatives of First Steps Nutrition Trust.

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many times and on which dates (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department have met with representatives of Baby Milk Action.

Nicola Blackwood: Our records indicate that from January 2016 to January 2017, Ministers had no meetings with First Steps Nutrition Trust and Baby Milk Action either separately or together. In the same period, officials had one meeting with both organisations on 3 August 2016.

Royal Brompton Hospital

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on the internationally recognised adult congenital heart disease research team at the Royal Brompton Hospital as a result of the proposed closure of congenital heart disease services at that hospital.

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment NHS England has made of the effect of the proposed dispersal of the Royal Brompton Hospital's congenital heart disease research team on care quality.

Mr Philip Dunne: No decision has been made to close the congenital heart disease service at the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust. The congenital heart disease standards agreed by the NHS England Board in July 2015 include sub-categories that cover both research and using a network approach. The standards have been designed to support a continued collaborative approach to develop and sustain research and good practice.

Air Pollution

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of treatment of people affected by air pollution and poor air quality.

Nicola Blackwood: Whilst there is already evidence of the impacts of air pollution on health, and ongoing work to quantify these impacts, the associated costs to the National Health Service and social care budget are less understood. Public Health England (PHE) has commissioned a consortium led by the UK Health Forum to carry out a project on the estimation of costs to the NHS and social care due to the health impacts of air pollution as part of PHE’s Health Economics Commissioning Framework. The aim is to enable air pollution to be assessed against other public health threats and to support the strategic priority setting process.

British Specialist Nutrition Association

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many times and on which dates (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department have met with representatives of the British Specialist Nutrition Association.

Nicola Blackwood: Our records indicate that from January 2016 to January 2017, Ministers had no meetings with the British Specialist Nutrition Association (BSNA). In the same period, officials had five meetings with the BSNA on the following dates: - 12 January 2017;- 10 November 2016;- 16 May 2016;- 29 April 2016; and- 18 February 2016.

Urinary System: Diseases

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients have been diagnosed with chronic urinary tract infections over the last 12 months.

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he plans to respond to the letters from the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green of (a) 7 November and (b) 14 December 2016 on scheduling a meeting to discuss his Department's policy on the treatment of chronic urinary tract infections.

David Mowat: There were 196,692 finished hospital admission episodes with a primary diagnosis for urinary tract infections in England in 2015/16. Replies to the hon. Member of Hornsey and Wood Green’s recent letters on urinary tract infections should be sent on or before Friday 27 January 2017.

Drugs: Misuse

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the timetable is for the Government's response to the report by the Advisory Council on the misuse of drugs, reducing opioid-related deaths in the UK, published in December 2016.

Nicola Blackwood: Under the Working Protocol between the Government and the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), “Ministers will look to provide a decision on all ACMD recommendations, and to publish a response within 3 months of receipt”. The Government is working towards responding to ACMD within this timeframe.

Prisons: Health Services

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to put (a) prisoner health care and (b) individual prisoner health care services out to competitive tender.

Nicola Blackwood: NHS England has commissioned prison healthcare in all publicly-run prisons in England since April 2013. Regional commissioners have been mandated since that date to commission these services from National Health Service, voluntary sector or private sector providers, using a standard competitive NHS procurement process.

Tobacco

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the Tobacco Control Plan will be replaced.

Nicola Blackwood: The Government is developing a new tobacco control plan, which will be published shortly.

Women and Equalities

Government Equalities Office: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether the Government Equalities Office permits its employees to join a credit union through payroll deductions; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Dinenage: The department does not currently offer the facility for employees to join a credit union through payroll deductions. We will be considering whether to introduce this as part of our offer to staff.